Nkem Ndem Vivienne, Travel/Technology Writer, Jovago, in this piece made available to Technology Times reviews the new private chat feature on the popular messaging platform of Blackberry
If you are the type to gossip via BlackBerry Messenger, you might want to take a leap of joy as the company has released a new update that includes a Privacy and Control Subscriptions! The service tagged ‘Private Chat’ enables private messaging between users as it hides identity between chats ensuring that no names are shown, no profile pictures are displayed and your chats are automatically deleted on both sides after brief periods of inactivity. As it stands, a user who takes a screenshot of the private conversation cannot attribute it to either party, as there are no contact names.
If you are at loss on how to use this new exciting blackberry feature, Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 online hotel booking portal offers steps.
Step 1: Open the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) app on your phone
Step 2: Select a contact. Ensure the contact selected has the updated version of Blackberry Messenger, as the feature remains inaccessible for chats with contacts who still older versions of the BBM.
[blockquote right=”pull-right”]“The service tagged ‘Private Chat’ enables private messaging between users as it hides identity between chats ensuring that no names are shown, no profile pictures are displayed and your chats are automatically deleted on both sides after brief periods of inactivity. As it stands, a user who takes a screenshot of the private conversation cannot attribute it to either party, as there are no contact names.”[/blockquote]
Step 3: Click on the green icon with a theatre mask on it. You will see the icon at the top of the chat box where the contact’s name is listed, or you can go to the menu button the page and select “Start Private Chat’. Note that the feature will only be enabled if the contact you have selected has an updated version if the BBM.
Step 4: Once you choose the ‘Select Private chat’ option, a request for a private chat is sent to the contact.
Step 5: On accepting the request, a private chat with the contact is enabled. Within the chat, you are offered the option of attaching and sharing files, as well as editing your messages while the chat is going on.
Whereas the private chat feature seems awesome, you will need to take certain precautions to ensure that its aim is not defeated. It is important to note that the private chat allows only two people have a interact at a time to avoid confusion regarding who is saying what. And for a most discreet conversation, try not to mention each other’s name while e-discussing as that might be a huge give away.
The new BBM Privacy and Control feature is a huge improvement in private messaging. BlackBerry users will certainly enjoy the extra level of privacy protection. Download the new BBM app for BlackBerry, iOS, Android, Windows, or Amazon mobile devices and try the new private chat features.
