BlackBerry Opens Messenger App To Developer And Adds Increased Protection

The Messenger app by BlackBerry has been criticized for its security flaws for years. Now, the company is using that reputation to market its new security measures that it guarantees will protect all conversations by users. The floundering mobile phone company has also opened the Messenger app to developers who may want to add secure chats to the apps they are developing.

It would appear that BlackBerry thought that the criticisms with regards to its Messenger app were fair because now, the company is using that increased exposure to market the chat service’s upgraded version, Engadget reports. The app now has end-to-end encryption, which applies to all chats, calls, and even video conversations.

The company is also marketing the Messenger app as an enterprise-level product, dubbing it BBM Enterprise. In a blog post, the company explains how the shiny new app could be used during high-stress scenarios.

“Imagine a police officer using their smartphone to stream live video from a crime scene back to the precinct,” the post reads. “Imagine a doctor talking with a patient through a secure voice channel. Or imagine an ER physician who needs quick answers from a surgeon in another office or around the globe; with BBM Enterprise the physician can ask the surgeon questions via message or escalate to a voice or video call. Any information exchanged between the two will be encrypted and comply with HIPAA regulations.”

Aside from simply marketing the new Messenger app as an attractive means of communicating with friends, BlackBerry is also looking to third-party developers as a means of making money, CNBC reports. By licensing its intellectual property, the Canadian mobile company hopes to supplement its revenue for the future.

BlackBerry is also banking on its history as a provider of secure mobile services. After all, the company did have a reputation in the past for having high-grade security.