Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about security, expiration, and account benefits.

Burn After Read vs. Expiration?

Burn After Read: The paste self-destructs immediately after it is viewed once. It is perfect for sending sensitive credentials or one-time secrets.

Expiration (1h, 1d, 1w, 1m): The paste remains active until the specific time limit is reached, then it is automatically deleted.

Warning: Once a paste is Burned or Expired, it is permanently gone. Even our team cannot recover it. We wipe the data from our servers instantly to ensure your privacy.
What is the Time Capsule feature?

The Time Capsule allows you to lock content in a digital vault that opens only in the future. It is perfect for announcements, games, or delayed messages.

How it works:

  • In the Expiration Dropdown, select "Time Capsule".
  • Choose a quick duration (5 mins, 1 hour) or pick a specific date.
  • Visitors will see a Live Countdown Timer. The content remains encrypted until the timer hits 00:00:00.
Can I see my own locked paste?
Registered & Logged-In Users Yes. If you created the paste while logged in, you can bypass the timer and view your content immediately.
Guests & Logged-Out Owners No. If you create a Time Capsule as a Guest (or if you log out), you cannot bypass the lock. You must wait until the timer reaches 00:00:00 just like everyone else. There is no way to prove ownership for guest pastes.
Password Protection vs. Unlisted?

Password Protected: This is the most secure option. Even if someone has the link, they cannot see the content without the password. The content is encrypted in our database.

Unlisted: Anyone with the exact link can view the paste, but it will not appear in the public Archive list. It is "hidden in plain sight."

Public: Visible to everyone and listed in the Archive.

Why should I register an account?
  • Account Recovery: Registered users with a valid email can reset their password. Important: If you register without an email (or lose access to it), your account cannot be recovered if you forget your password.
  • Manage Pastes: You get a dedicated Dashboard to view, manage, and bulk-delete your pastes instantly.
  • Password Management: Forget the password you set for a paste? Inside your dashboard, you can reveal the password for your own pastes. (Note: Only YOU can see this. We store them hashed, so even our team cannot access them).
  • Public Profile: Build your reputation. All your public pastes are automatically organized on your profile page.
  • API Access: Get a developer API key to automate creating pastes from your applications.
Can I view pastes from a specific user?

Yes! If you find a paste from a registered user, simply click on their username (displayed next to the date/views).

This will take you to their Public Profile, where you can browse all their active contributions. Private and Unlisted pastes will remain hidden from this list.

How secure is my data?

We take security seriously:

  • All user passwords and paste passwords are hashed and encrypted.
  • Your email address is private and never shared.
  • When you delete a paste (or it expires), it is purged from the database immediately.
  • Unlisted pastes are strictly excluded from the Archive.

However, always be careful when sharing links. If you share a "Public" or "Unlisted" link, anyone who has the link can view the content.

API Limits & Business Inquiries

Registered users get free access to our API for automation. You can generate your key in the Dashboard.

If you need higher rate limits for business use, high-volume logging, or enterprise features, please contact us at:

support@pasteread.com