A system and method are provided for automatically deleting messages such as e-mail upon consumption by the recipient. Consumption by the recipient may include viewing the message, forwarding or replying to the message, or archiving, saving, copying, or moving the message. An indicator is inserted in the message, for example in the message header or body, indicating that the message is to be deleted upon detection of a triggering consumption action. Upon receipt at the recipient's mail client, the client determines whether the indicator is present, and, upon detection of a triggering consumption action, automatically closes any views of the message displayed by the recipient's mail client and deletes the message. Optionally a warning is provided to the recipient prior to deletion.