BlackBerry’s latest update has introduced a couple of privacy-enhancing features, including timed messages.

They are following in the footsteps of numerous messaging apps with a so-called ephemeral ‘timer’ feature, a trend popularised by Snapchat.

With the timer, you will be able to control how long your messages and pictures can be viewed within BBM.

Before you send some text or a photo, all you need to do is hit the little timer icon and select how long you wish it to be visible.

The recipient won’t be able to see the content until they touch and hold on the chat message – then they will only be able to see it for the duration of the timer. It will also vanish if they take their finger off the screen.

It is also a smart feature and will immediately tell you if the person you are sending the message to can receive a timed message or photo. Obviously older Blackberry phones and other non-touch screen phones cannot utilise the service…