With consumer devices now an integral part of the workplace and use of file-sharing tools like Dropbox and Box increasing, enterprises are scrambling to protect their sensitive information. The idea of endowing files with a finite lifespan before they self-destruct is appealing, because it offers senders greater control over data as they share it externally.

Today, new applications are emerging that provide this type of ephemeral sharing capability. Unlike the digital rights management solutions of yore, these technologies are cloud-based, simple to use, and can be easily integrated into users’ workflows.

While photo documentation used to connote some level of importance, the ubiquitousness of Facebook and the popularity of documenting the mundane has created a situation where deciding not to document something tends to give it more meaning. As a result, the ephemeral sharing of a moment on Snapchat begins to release users from the tensions caused by "hyper documentation."

The creation of direct contacts is intended for establishing long-lived sharing relationships between two users. When only ephemeral sharing is necessary, users may use the Passlet mechanism to allow access, without creating an entry to MyNetBook.