System and method for management of persistent and irrefutable instant messages

A system or apparatus for providing instant messaging communication between users via a communication network, comprising at least one processor configured to:

• execute an instant messaging client at a user device of a first user and an instant messaging client at a user device of a second user;
• transmit a data message from the instant messaging client at the user device of the first user to the instant messaging client at the user device of the second user, the data message having a content portion and at least one associated attribute identifying the content portion as persistent data;
• and
• control the availability of at least one user-selectable function by the instant messaging client at the user device of the second user, based on the at least one associated attribute, by disabling or omitting a data message delete function.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions, that when executed, perform a method of providing instant messaging communication between users via a communication network, comprising the steps of:

• executing an instant messaging client at a user device of a first user and an instant messaging client at a user device of a second user;
• transmitting a data message from the instant messaging client at the user device of the first user to the instant messaging client at the user device of the second user, the data message having a content portion and at least one associated attribute identifying the content portion as persistent data;
• and
• controlling the availability of at least one user-selectable function by the instant messaging client at the user device of the second user, based on the at least one associated attribute, wherein said controlling comprises disabling or omitting a data message delete function.