At BlackBerry, we’ve always been dedicated to the security of our customers – and in putting control over user privacy back into their hands. CEO John Chen put it best: security is what we do, privacy is what you get. To us, your privacy is a commitment – and our latest BBM update keeps to that commitment.
BBM users on Android, iOS, and BlackBerry devices now have unlimited access to Retract (see right) and Timer – previously only available as part of a BBM subscription.*
These enhanced privacy and control features give users full ownership over what they share through BBM – even after it leaves their phone. With “Retract,” users can retract messages and pictures from recipients they sent mistakenly or no longer wish to make accessible. “Timer,” meanwhile, gives users control over how long their contacts can view shared messages, pictures, or location information.
“Building on the renowned immediacy, reliability and security inherent to BBM, the new release provides unmatched level of privacy and control to BBM users without any subscription fees,” said Matthew Talbot, SVP, BBM at BlackBerry. “Keeping control over the messages and content that they share, BBM users can be ensured that what they share is always theirs to control.”
Other features in this BBM release include:
Cross-Platform (Android, iOS and BlackBerry 10)
- In addition to Retract and Timer, users also have access to the Private Chat and Edit features. The former removes names and avatars from the chat window, while the latter allows you to edit messages you’ve sent to a contact
- Forward messages from one chat to another
- General performance improvements and bug fixes
Android
- Mute notifications for multi-person chats
- Scroll through all pictures shared within a 1:1 or multi-person chat
- Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) support
- Improved BBM Voice call quality
- Option for users to save pictures taken during BBM chat to device
iOS
- Enhanced look and feel for the chat screen
- Capture and share larger videos with enhanced video sharing
- Multi-select mode: delete, retract, or forward multiple messages at once
- Improved BBM Voice call quality
- Option for users to save pictures taken during BBM chat to device
BlackBerry 10
- Delete messages from just your view of the chat
- Retract and edit messages in group chats
- Option to retract all messages in a chat when it ends
Please note that while the update is launched, it may take 24 hours or more to appear in the app store depending on your mobile platform or region. For more information, you can visit the official BBM page.
*Note that if you are currently a BBM subscriber, your subscription may not end automatically when you update. If it was purchased on a different platform from the one you are currently using, cancel it through the following process:
- On iOS: Simply don’t renew your subscription, and it will cancel automatically.
- On Android: Access the Google Play Store, tap on the menu button in the top left, access My Account, go to Subscriptions, and cancel.
- BlackBerry 10: Access BlackBerry World, go to my world, access Subscriptions, and cancel.