Is it possible to e-mail a Read-only Self-destructing document?

Orionaut · 23 May 2019 at 10:08

IE

Is there a way of sending a document that the recipient can read, but can not copy or keep any record of.

Roar87 · 23 May 2019 at 10:09

Orionaut said:
IE

Is there a way of sending a document that the recipient can read, but can not copy or keep any record of.

They could just screenshot it so I guess not

d_brennen · 23 May 2019 at 10:10

Orionaut said:
IE

Is there a way of sending a document that the recipient can read, but can not copy or keep any record of.

If you don't want it copied, don't write it down

Marky · 23 May 2019 at 10:10

vanpeebles · 23 May 2019 at 10:10

What's to stop them taking a photo on a portable telephone?

touch · 23 May 2019 at 10:32

You could send a link to a website with the text which can't be selected for copying and some code to delete the page after it has been viewed.
Doesn't stop them from screenshotting it though.

tom_nieto · 23 May 2019 at 10:34

Snapchat... I presume you’re sending pictures of your genitals?

200sols · 23 May 2019 at 10:36

Orionaut said:
IE

Is there a way of sending a document that the recipient can read, but can not copy or keep any record of.

Nearly everybody carries a camera now.

Orionaut · 23 May 2019 at 10:37

So general upshot is no!

Annoying.

There is nothing dodgy or illegal here. More of a confidentiality issue.

There are plenty of legitimate circumstances (Archives are a common one) where people are permitted to look at, and even take notes from, but not create a direct hard copy of, documents.

This is one of those cases.

Failing this, it will have to be done in person which will be far more awkward for various reasons...

Ho Hummn.

touch · 23 May 2019 at 10:43

You could probably create a video of the text with different parts missing on each frame so that it's readable to the human eye but if you take a still photo you wouldn't get all the information. Probably more awkward than just showing it in person though.

builder22 · 23 May 2019 at 10:44

Snapchat?

e

ops, too late!

Hades · 23 May 2019 at 10:48

touch said:
You could probably create a video of the text with different parts missing on each frame so that it's readable to the human eye but if you take a still photo you wouldn't get all the information. Probably more awkward than just showing it in person though.

Cunning plan, but foiled by a simple video recording on a phone.

hughtrimble · 23 May 2019 at 10:48

touch said:
You could probably create a video of the text with different parts missing on each frame so that it's readable to the human eye but if you take a still photo you wouldn't get all the information. Probably more awkward than just showing it in person though.

I like this! Nice idea
Though lots of phone cameras now take a short video whilst taking a photo so that may ruin it a touch. But still harder than a straight photo.

tom_nieto · 23 May 2019 at 11:04

Scientific journals have pain in the arse access software all the time. It can be done, just can’t think how you’d get around the camera phone issue.

You could just go round in person and deliver the document (...or flash your bits).

edscdk · 23 May 2019 at 11:06

assume 100% of any data sent electronically that's not encrypted will become public,

assume 20% of all encrypted data will become public

Marky · 23 May 2019 at 11:12

edscdk said:
assume 100% of any data sent electronically that's not encrypted will become public,

assume 20% of all encrypted data will become public

I read a quote recently, it went something like:

Never say anything you don't want read in court

ttaskmaster · 23 May 2019 at 12:32

AhhBisto · 23 May 2019 at 12:53

I developed a system at work for distributing confidential customer data securely that tracked and removed files automatically...People still made hard copies and shared them because it was "annoying to log in".

People will always be the weak link, even with some of Microsoft enterprise solutions where you can keep files within the network, someone will ruin it.

Delvis · 23 May 2019 at 12:54

Orionaut said:
So general upshot is no!

Annoying.

There is nothing dodgy or illegal here. More of a confidentiality issue.

There are plenty of legitimate circumstances (Archives are a common one) where people are permitted to look at, and even take notes from, but not create a direct hard copy of, documents.

This is one of those cases.

Failing this, it will have to be done in person which will be far more awkward for various reasons...

Ho Hummn.

Are we talking security classification here or what

Just label it appropriately and anyone in breach gets dealt with via the appropriate avenue

dan958 · 23 May 2019 at 13:02

If the data is that important, you will be best off getting people with access to sign an NDA first.