Blackberry Corporation

Ryan Conrad Brander

Yuri Poeluev

Shiladitya Sircar

Thomas William Keetch

Maurice Patrick Scott

A method, communication device and computer program product communicate between the communication device and a second communication device using an instant messaging application. The first device receives contact information identifying the second communication device and determines a contact type for the second communication device from the contact information. If the contact type is a first contact type, the contact information is stored in a first partition of a memory of the communication device. If the contact type is a second contact type, the contact information is stored in a second partition of the memory. The partitions may employ different encryption schemes or one partition may be is unencrypted. A third party has access and control over the second partition. The device communicates with the second communication device using a security policy associated with the contact type.

System and method for assigning security levels for instant messaging contacts across device partitions

A method, transmitting device, and computer-readable storage medium are provided for sharing image data between a source device and at least one receiving device. In one implementation, a method is provided for periodically sending image data of a shared screen to the at least one receiving device using a sharing connection. The method also receives a request associated with activating a user interface component involving confidential information, suspends updating of the image data responsive to the received request, and periodically sends suspended image data to the at least one receiving device while updating is suspended.

Method and apparatus for suspending screen sharing during confidential data entry

A system and method are provided for switching between messaging security policies. The method includes determining that a messaging security policy for the electronic device has been downgraded from a higher security level to a lower security level; and removing protected content on the electronic device that has been subjected to the higher security level. Removing protected content can include any one or more of removing access to at least one protected instant messaging group, removing at least one multiparticipant instant messaging conversation, and removing at least a portion of protected content from within a one-to-one conversation with an instant messaging contact.

System and method for switching between messaging security policies

A system and method are provided for initiating protected instant messaging conversations. The method includes enabling a shared secret to be sent to a contact to initiate a key exchange to protect messages exchanged in an instant messaging conversation, the shared secret being sent using a communication medium other than instant messaging. After the shared secret has been sent, the method includes displaying a pending protected instant messaging conversation user interface prior to receiving a confirmation associated with receipt of the shared secret by the contact, the pending protected instant messaging conversation user interface comprising an option to resend the shared secret.

System and method for initiating protected instant messaging conversations

A wireless communication device, computer program product and method of establishing secure communications between a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device for an instant messaging application is provided. Contact information representing a contact associated with a second wireless communication device is received at the first device. The contact information includes capability information. The first device determines from the capability information whether the second device is capable of communicating using an enhanced encryption scheme, and if so, establishes a protected communication session by sending a pass phrase to the second device via an out of band channel and receiving the pass phrase back from the second device via the instant messaging application. Communication between the devices is performed using an enhanced encryption scheme.

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Beaverbank, Canada

Ryan Conrad Brander