BBM Enterprise

BBM Enterprise
Developer(s)BlackBerry Ltd.
Initial releaseJune 2014; 10 years ago (2014-06)
Stable release
1.16.0.12 / April 12, 2023; 19 months ago (2023-04-12)
Operating systemWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, BlackBerry 10
PredecessorBlackBerry Messenger
TypeInstant messaging client
LicenseProprietary trialware
Websitebbm.com

BBM Enterprise (abbreviated as BBMe) is a centralized instant messaging client provided by Canadian company BlackBerry Limited. BBMe is marketed as a secure messenger with end-to-end encryption.[1]

BBMe was launched in 2014 originally as BBM Protected,[2][3] based on a revamped version of BBM (BlackBerry Messenger), the company's consumer-oriented instant messenger. Initially offered only for enterprise customers, BBMe was opened up to all customers in 2019 after the shutting down of the older consumer BBM service.[4][5][6][7]

From the client to server, messages in BBMe are encrypted using TLS.[8] Each message has its own random encryption public and private key.[3] It uses a FIPS 140-2 certified cryptographic library for generating the keys.[2][8] According to BlackBerry Ltd., BBMe complies with the following standards:[9]

  • Digital signature FIPS 186-4
  • AES symmetric encryption standard FIPS 197
  • HMAC standard FIPS 198-1 based on based on SHA2-256
  • Cryptographic key generation standard NIST SP 800-133
  • Secure Hash standard FIPS 180-4

In addition, it makes use of EC-SPEKE, KDF and One-Pass DH (all National Institute of Standards and Technology algorithm standards) with "256-bit equivalent security".[9]

The service consists of group chats, voice and video calls.[10] Unlike its predecessor, BBMe is not entirely free, lasting for a year before costing $2.49 for six months.[11]

On 1 May 2024, BBMe for Personal Use users were notified of their service's discontinuation effective 1 Nov 2024.

  1. ^ "BlackBerry Messenger Enterprise promises tighter security". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  2. ^ a b Etherington, Darrell (2014-06-16). "BlackBerry Launches BBM Protected For Confidential Instant Messaging". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  3. ^ a b "BlackBerry's ultra-secure chat gives each message its own security key". Engadget. 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  4. ^ Orlowski, Andrew. "BBM is dead, long live BBMe: Encrypted chat plat opened up to all as consumer version burns". www.theregister.com. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  5. ^ Wolverton, Troy. "BlackBerry wants to rescue users of the doomed BBM messaging service by giving them access to its corporate product". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  6. ^ "BlackBerry Messenger is now officially over, but BBMe will live on". India Today. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  7. ^ "BlackBerry Messenger shuts down for good today". Engadget. 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  8. ^ a b Retain Mobile for BBM Enterprise. microfocus.com, Retrieved 25 June 2024
  9. ^ a b "BBM Enterprise standards and algorithms". docs.blackberry.com. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  10. ^ MA, Andrew Watt (2019-11-24). "BBMe may be the secure professional messaging app you've been looking for". Medium. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  11. ^ "BlackBerry Messenger shuts down: What you need to know". CNET. Retrieved 2023-10-23.