The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product controlling a capture of data. In one embodiment, the process identifies a location from locale identifier data to form an identified location in response to receiving the locale identifier data. The locale identifier data is associated with a location of the digital life recorder. In addition, the identified location is associated with a set of usage policies. The process then determines whether the set of usage policies restricts the capture of data by the digital life recorder at the identified location or whether the set of usage policies restricts playback of the data by a playback system. Thereafter, the process disables a set of sensors while the digital life recorder is in the presence of the locale identifier in response to determining that the set of usage policies restricts the capture of data.