We had previously explained how the BlackBerry Priv security works, but the recent Stagefright vulnerability in Android led to new expectations for security patches. According to AndroidAuthority, Google, Samsung and LG, have all said that they will do their best to deliver monthly security updates out to users, and now BlackBerry pledges to do the same. The company says that the Priv buyers can expect monthly patches, but there’s a catch.
BlackBerry says that every person to buy Priv directly from BlackBerry will get those security updates as soon as they’re ready. The company will release them after receiving the monthly security bulleting from Google, and of course, before the issues are actually made public.
Thus, a carrier branded phone (whether it was bought from the carrier or some other third-party), might not get those updates on the spot. The carrier needs to agree to take part in BlackBerry’s update program to push quickly through the approval of patches. It’s still not clear whether the carriers are alright with that.
And because we’re talking about BlackBerry here, there’s some business issue too. Businesses will be able to handle and manage updates through a BlackBerry Enterprise Server, allowing the IT department to test and deploy updates, therefore ensuring compatibility.
BlackBerry also says if there’s a serious liability discovered, they will also launch hotfix updates. It has the ability to patch all Priv units directly regardless of carrier agreements, and they will make use of this ability in case of a serious security breach.