Briefly: BlackBerry Messenger woes, RSA crypto warning, Touch ID hacked?

Logistical problems halted the launch of BlackBerry’s long awaited BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) apps for Android over the weekend.

A post on the company’s blog says:

Prior to launching BBM for Android, an unreleased version of the BBM for Android app was posted online. Consequently, this unreleased version caused issues, which we have attempted to address throughout the day.

BlackBerry says the launch of BBM apps for Android and iOS is now on pause and resume when it is ready. There’s not indication of when that will be. The company has also said the launch will be staggered – country by country. Previously only the iOS launch was to be staggered.

Android users who have already downloaded the app will find BlackBerry has disabled it. IOS users with early downloads will be able to continue to use the software.

•  A customer email from security company RSA warns them to stop using cryptography software that’s based on a formula developed by America’s National Security Agency. The message says a developer toolkit includes a random number generator that has a weak formula – one the NSA knows it can easily break.
• Apple‘s Touch ID fingerprint scanning security may not be as secure as the company would like you to think. Reports over the weekend say hackers from the Chaos Computer Club claim they bypassed the system using what they describe as relatively simple means. The method involves capturing a fingerprint left on a surface and creating a model of it – which will stop casual thieves but is unlikely to trouble determined professionals.