Self-Deleting Text And Its Use In The Workplace

Permanent messages represent an interesting topic for discussion among users of technology in the workplace. Some see them as a valuable tool that can be used to reduce email clutter, while others see them as a potential security issue because they do not have the capability to be tracked or retained.

What is Self-Deleting Text?

Self-deleting text, such as that used in Blackberry devices, automatically deletes messages after they are sent. You will not see them at all if you do not go out of your way to recover them.

The email messages that are regularly used in most businesses are stored on a server or a network. In general, you can tell that you have received a permanent or archived email message because it will be stored in one of your folders. You can open the message and keep it for as long as you need to.

The self destructive text messages does not work like this. After sending a message using a mobile device, for example, this text disappears from the screen within ten seconds. You will not be able to access the message after this time because it has erased all of its content. In some cases, it can even erase the content of your message before you have read it.

Is Self-Deleting Text Legally Prohibited?

In general, there is nothing to stop you from using this technology in your business. There are some issues that need to be considered before deciding whether or not you should use self-deleting text in the workplace.

Your Use of Self-Deleting Text Should Not Constitute a Crime

Self-deleting text may not be legally prohibited, but you should understand that your customers, clients and the public could suspect that you are attempting to obstruct the police or third parties who are trying to investigate a crime. There may also be possible privacy issues if no one reads your messages and they automatically disappear when they are sent out.