Temporary File Sharing — Files Vanish After 24 Hours

What is temporary file sharing?

Temporary file sharing is the practice of transferring files with an automatic expiration date. Unlike cloud storage services that keep your files indefinitely (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive), temporary sharing services remove access to your files after a set period — typically hours or days.

This approach is useful when you need to transfer a file once and don't want it sitting in someone else's cloud account forever. Think of it as handing someone a physical document — they read it, and then it's gone.

Why ephemerality matters for privacy

Most file-sharing services retain your data indefinitely. A file you shared three years ago might still be sitting on a server, accessible to anyone with the link. This creates several risks:

• Data breaches. If the service is compromised, old files are exposed alongside new ones.
• Link sharing. Anyone who intercepts or forwards the link can access the file indefinitely.
• Storage footprint. Your files contribute to a growing digital footprint you may not control.
• Compliance. Some regulations (GDPR, CCPA) require data minimization — storing only what's necessary for only as long as necessary.

Temporary file sharing addresses these risks by design. The file exists only long enough for the intended recipient to download it, then it becomes inaccessible.

How auto-destruct works in File Shuttle

File Shuttle uses Cloudflare's infrastructure to implement automatic expiration:

1. KV storage with TTL. When you upload a file, the system stores a mapping from the pickup code to the file's R2 key in Cloudflare KV. This mapping has a 24-hour TTL (time-to-live).
2. Code expiration. After 24 hours, the KV entry expires automatically. The pickup code no longer resolves to a file key.
3. Inaccessible file. Without a valid code-to-key mapping, the file in R2 cannot be located or downloaded through the service. The R2 object itself isn't auto-deleted, but it's effectively orphaned.

The download link generated via presigned URL also expires after 1 hour, adding another layer of time-limited access.

Comparison with services that retain files indefinitely

Here's how File Shuttle compares to common file-sharing services on retention and privacy:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do files stay on File Shuttle?

The pickup code expires after 24 hours. After that, the code stops working and the file becomes inaccessible. The metadata (code-to-key mapping) is stored in Cloudflare KV with a 24-hour TTL.

Is this truly temporary? Can files be recovered after 24 hours?

The pickup code expires after 24 hours via KV TTL. The R2 object itself isn't auto-deleted, but without a valid code pointing to it, it's effectively unreachable. For true deletion, the R2 lifecycle policy would need to be configured separately.

What happens if someone tries to use an expired code?

They receive a 404 error with the message 'Invalid or expired code.' The file cannot be accessed once the code expires.

Can I set a shorter expiry time?

No. The 24-hour TTL is fixed. If you need a file destroyed sooner, contact [email protected] for manual removal.

How is File Shuttle different from WeTransfer for temporary sharing?

WeTransfer's free tier keeps files for 7 days and requires an email address. File Shuttle keeps files for 24 hours and requires no email — just a pickup code. File Shuttle's shorter retention means your data spends less time in the cloud.