Popular Science: How to send self-destructing messages. “There’s something mysterious and magnetic about a message that disappears after you read it. And this type of communication can be useful too, allowing you to share private words or silly pictures without leaving a digital data trail. We collected five services, from email to instant-messaging, that let you send self-destructing messages. Read about each one, and then find the app that works best for you.” And remember, no digital app can protect you from someone holding up a camera to a screen and taking a picture.