Gmail invented self-destruct messages

Some developers have created Dmail as a Chrome extension that gives you that option as well as some more security. You can program the sent message to be unavailable after a certain period of time or you can revoke the access at any time to prevent the message to be seen. It was created by the same people who created Delicious, which allows to organize your bookmarks.

The way Dmail works is very convenient, as only the sender has to install the Chrome extension to enjoy the functionality it offers, even if the recipients don’t install it. Then, when composing an email, users will get the option to turn on or off this service, if it’s turned on, an option to destroy the email in one hour, one day, one week or never.

If the recipient doesn’t have the extension installed, they will have to click a button to view the message sent with Dmail, but if they have the service, they will be able to view the message just like any other. The messages of this service are encrypted using a 256-bit standard, which is done on the sender’s side and only the sender and recipient can read the message as they are the only ones who will be able to decrypt it. Some more features will be added to the service like preventing recipients to forward the message to others and it will be available as an app in August, so users will be available to compose and read those messages.

More features are being tested such as destroying documents or other attached files and these could be included as part of a premium service. For those interested, users can install the Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store.