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temp.cool
Comparison

One-time link vs email, WhatsApp and Slack

1 min read · Updated

Short answer

Email and chat are fine for the link but not for the password itself, because they keep a copy for years on every device and backup. A one-time link holds the secret only until it is read, so a later breach finds nothing.

  1. Email keeps everything

    Sent items, the recipient's inbox, server backups and every synced phone hold a copy. Years later, one hacked account leaks it.

  2. Chat is searchable

    Slack, Teams and WhatsApp history is searchable by anyone in the chat, now and later, including new members and admins.

  3. A one-time link forgets

    The secret is gone after reading. What stays in the chat is a dead link.

Side by side

Email WhatsApp Slack or Teams temp.cool link
Copy kept after reading Yes, for years Yes, on both phones and backups Yes, searchable by the workspace No
Who else can read it later Anyone with mailbox access Anyone with the phone or backup Workspace admins, new channel members Nobody
You know if it was read No Blue ticks only No Yes, on your manage link
Can you take it back No Only within a time limit Sometimes Yes, shred it any time

When plain email or chat is fine

For things that are not secret, or that stop working within minutes, like a one-time sign-in code that expires right away. For anything that still works tomorrow, such as a password, an API key, a door code or bank login details, use a one-time link.

Combine them for the best of both

Send the temp.cool link in your normal email or chat. If you want extra safety, put a password on the link and say it on the phone. Someone who later reads the chat finds a link that no longer opens.

Got a secret to send?

Free, no account. Read once, then poof.

Write a secret