A machine implemented method, comprising the steps of: at a portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) with one or more processors, memory, and a touch-sensitive display (34, 54, 88, 93); receiving proximity data from a proximity sensor (44, 62, 84, 84A, 120) of the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100), wherein the proximity sensor (44, 62, 84, 84A, 120) is configured to obtain proximity data corresponding to a location of a user relative to the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) and wherein the proximity data represents at least one of a distance and a rate of change of distance; receiving a touch input at a location on the touch-sensitive display (34, 54, 88, 93) of the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100); processing the received proximity data to determine whether the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) is in one of a first or second proximity state based on the received proximity data, wherein the second proximity state occurs when the proximity data indicates that the user is near the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100); upon determining that the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) is in the first proximity state, processing the touch input as an intentional touch input, including determining the location the touch input was received on the touch-sensitive display (34, 54, 88, 93) and performing a function associated with the location of the processed touch input; upon determining that the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) is in the second proximity state, processing the touch input as an unintentional touch input, including determining the location the touch input was received on the touch-sensitive display (34, 54, 88, 93) and forgoing the function associated with the location of the processed touch input; and in response to a change in the received proximity data, changing the processing of the touch input. at a portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) with one or more processors, memory, and a touch-sensitive display (34, 54, 88, 93); receiving proximity data from a proximity sensor (44, 62, 84, 84A, 120) of the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100), wherein the proximity sensor (44, 62, 84, 84A, 120) is configured to obtain proximity data corresponding to a location of a user relative to the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) and wherein the proximity data represents at least one of a distance and a rate of change of distance; receiving a touch input at a location on the touch-sensitive display (34, 54, 88, 93) of the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100); processing the received proximity data to determine whether the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) is in one of a first or second proximity state based on the received proximity data, wherein the second proximity state occurs when the proximity data indicates that the user is near the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100); upon determining that the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) is in the first proximity state, processing the touch input as an intentional touch input, including determining the location the touch input was received on the touch-sensitive display (34, 54, 88, 93) and performing a function associated with the location of the processed touch input; upon determining that the portable data processing device (30, 30a, 50, 70, 100) is in the second proximity state, processing the touch input as an unintentional touch input, including determining the location the touch input was received on the touch-sensitive display (34, 54, 88, 93) and forgoing the function associated with the location of the processed touch input; and in response to a change in the received proximity data, changing the processing of the touch input.