I had this happen with my iPhone while trying to fit it into a case for the bike: the case did press against the buttons because it was difficult to fit... I didn't know about this feature. I disabled it after that.

I think it is inappropriate to have such hidden features: while we tech people mostly understand the thing, I bet most people won't even get that it is a hidden feature and would think it is a bug. No one will remember to use it during a real emergency anyway.