This Text Message Will Self Destruct

mwilliamson writes "Silicon.com is reporting that Staellium UK (cell provider) has created a protocol in which text messages disappear after 40 seconds. This, of course, relies on the implementation of the protocol in the device used to display the message. They're touting a future roll out for photos as well, and service in the US."

The only problem is, it doesn't really work ...

[tyrions]

... because the system simply sends a WAP push to a page which expires after a given period of time - the request is made over plain HTTP. The problem is that WAP gateways often choose to ignore the "no-cache" directives as do a lot of WAP browsers, which means that the message remains in the cache and can still be read both by the client and the gateways along the route after it has expired. A quick test we ran showed the messages being stored on the memory of a phone even thought it wasn't supposed to be cached. Also, it is always possible to simply save the page source to a different file on the phone.

A mobile software consultancy [ionsquare.com] I work for is actually working on a project for a client which takes things a step further by encrypting the traffic from the server to the client and allowing the user to read it only via a J2ME MIDlet which never stores the messages to the RMS (persistent storage). For more information check out www.simtext.com [simtext.com]

Re:Just who owns the message anyway?

[Pantero Blanco]

I'm not a lawyer, but I think that text messages would be the "intellectual property" of the writer unless the receiver had a written agreement with them that said otherwise. Ownership is technically given upon creation in the US, though a court usually asks for some sort of proof (ie, poor man's mail-in copyright).

Re:Stallman got it right, again

[madman101]

Unless you work for a company that is publicly listed, since SEC regulations call for the permanent archiving (on "non-editable" media) of all electronic communications. Penalties for non-compliance are very steep...

Re:Stallman got it right, again

[Anonymous Coward]

What about "printscreen?"

Re:Does anyone see a different story?

[Anonymous Coward]

JUST A REMINDER...On December 15, cell phones numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS... To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: [phone]. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years.

Mostly untrue. From snopes.com:

Comments: While it's true that the major wireless phone providers (Verizon excepted) have announced their intention to establish a 411 directory of customers' cell phone numbers beginning in 2006, it is not true that they plan to "publish" said directory for any and all to read. Participating companies say the numbers will be made available only via telephone to users who dial directory assistance and pay a fee, and only with customer consent. The companies swear the numbers will never be accessible to telemarketers. In fact, per FCC regulations, telemarketers are already prohibited from calling cell phone numbers using automated dialers, which are standard in the industry.

Not everyone is convinced that consumers' privacy will be adequately shielded, however, as evidenced by a privacy protection bill already introduced in Congress which would modify the plan to allow 411 callers to be directly connected to requested parties without the latter's phone numbers being given out. Lawmakers have yet to act on the legislation.

In any case, the Federal Trade Commission does allow cell phone users to add their numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry -- the same one already in force for landlines -- either on the Web or by calling 1-888-382-1222.

Contrary to what some variants of the email rumor claim, there is no 31-day or December 15 deadline for adding cell phone numbers to the Do Not Call list -- indeed, there is no deadline whatsoever.

Re:Circumvention

[penguinoid]

This particular attempt at secure messaging will be circumvented in 5...4....3...2...1...

This particular attempt at secure messaging will be circumvented in ... 0. It is alread stored for law enforcement. Methinks encryption is in order. Presumably the reciever cannot prevent this from being deleted, though, which I think is a bad idea.

From stealthtext.net:SECURITY: While the message is deleted off the recipient's phone, like any phone call or text, the 'paper trail' and log stays on a protected, secure server, for a limited amount of time before completely deleted, to comply with the law

URBAN LEGEND

[Fiver-]

Did you just copy and paste that directly from a forwarded email? Snopes.com has the same words, almost verbatim. And of course it's bullshit.

New?

[codegen]

I remember seeing something like this about 5-6 years ago (during the
dot boom) for email (funny how the article mentions they plan to add
email soon). I don't remember the details, but I remember being
unimpressed by the tech.

Same concept as this article: You sent your email to the service, they saved
it on a server and sent the recipient an email with a link. After the mail was
read it was deleted.

I never heard about it again. I don't think the company made enough
money to stay in business.