Nov 16, 2013 10:06 PM EST By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

A new technology, akin to Snapchat - a mobile photo and video sharing service, lets you send self-destructing messages over Email or text message, according to TechCrunch.

PowerInbox, an email platform, launched web-based and mobile friendly SecretInk which will allow users to send Snapchat-like messages that self-destruct at least 5 seconds after first viewing.

According to their website, SecretInk offers a safe, secure way to send messages. They claim users can send passwords and account information rest assured that no third parties will read them. It can only be used on written messages, not images.

"SecretInk is a tool to send secure messages over your existing channels," Powerinbox product manager Toby Padilla told VentureBeat.

The most striking difference between Snapchat and SecretInk is that the recipient and the sender don't both have to belong to a certain network or have accounts or a specific app. Essentially, SecretInk is used to create a message, pick whether you want to send it via email or SMS, and send it.

 "The channels for the messages are encrypted to insure the only eyes that view your text are the ones you attended it for. Once the text has been viewed, it is deleted and removed from the server, leaving no trace of its existence," Digital Trends reported.

The program works online and is compatible with webmail services including Gmail through the PowerInbox add-on. It also enables other interactive email content from dozens of social networks, news sites, and more.

SecretInk is also free to users.

 "We have plans for a premium offering for marketers ... imagine getting an email or SMS that says 'In the next 8 seconds here's your coupon code, or it will self-destruct.' You will get immediate behavior from something like that," Padilla said.

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