An unofficial version of the new BlackBerry Messenger app has been leaked over the weekend, causing the Canadian smartphone maker to delay the global rollout of the app.
The instant messaging service was previously only available on BlackBerry’s own handsets, but the company is preparing to make the app available on Android and Apple smartphones as well.
The leak on Saturday resulted in Android users downloading the unauthorized app 1.1m times in the space of 8 hours before the leak was contained.
An official statement on BlackBerry’s website reads, "Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online.
"Our teams continue to work around the clock to bring BBM to Android and iPhone, but only when it’s ready and we know it will live up to your expectations of BBM. We are pausing the global roll-out of BBM for Android and iPhone. Customers who have already downloaded BBM for iPhone will be able to continue to use BBM. The unreleased Android app will be disabled, and customers who downloaded it should visit www.BBM.com to register for updates on official BBM for Android availability."
BlackBerry has suffered a string of unfortunate events in the last year, resulting in an announcement that the company anticipates losses of around $995m when it releases its second-quarter earnings report next week.
Despite the release of the new Z10 model, BlackBerry has struggled against competing Apple and Android smartphones, shipping only 2.7m Z10 phones of a total of 6.8m available.
Additionally, BlackBerry has announced that it will cut 4,500 jobs in an attempt to salvage the business.
