Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#1

Post by shelldweller » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 8:39 AM UTC

So I'm a junior Go dev and I made a small site that allows me to share images with someone privately and securely, and give me control over how many times the private link can be shared and how long the image will be accessible for.

There are similar services to this one, but they are either convoluted with ads, or require sign-up, or expect you to fill out a survey or something.

picburn is small, safe, and has no interest (nor the code or the server space) for storing your uploads.

give it a try if it fits your usecase and let me know what you think.

Note: there was a typo in the url

Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang
picburn.xyz

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#2

Post by franze » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 10:52 AM UTC

off by 1

i set to view just one time

opend url - image was shown

opened url in anonymous browser - image was shown

reloaded - image gone

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#3

Post by shelldweller » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 11:01 AM UTC

franze wrote: post #2

off by 1 i set to view just one time opend url - image was shown opened url in anonymous browser - image was shown reloaded - image gone

well yea, uploader doesnt count as a viewer. Unless you mean you opened the link twice in different browsers.

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#4

Post by v5v3 » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 11:13 AM UTC

>There are similar services to this one, but they are either convoluted with ads, or require sign-up, or expect you to fill out a survey or something.

So you just want to offer it free?

What about ongoing responsibilities if you get DMCA and take down for copyright/child porn/fake nudes and so on

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#5

Post by ozim » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 11:14 AM UTC

Also you have no knowledge about legal and other responsibilities for running such a website.

I hope you will not get into too much trouble and it will be a learning experience for you.

But if I would have to make a call, I would take it down immediately.

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#6

Post by ozim » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 11:17 AM UTC

v5v3 wrote: post #4

>There are similar services to this one, but they are either convoluted with ads, or require sign-up, or expect you to fill out a survey or something. So you just want to offer it free? What about ongoing responsibilities if you get DMCA and take down for copyright/child porn/fake nudes and so on

Looks like shelldweller learned how to code but doesn't know much about running websites and especially ones that allows randoms from the internet upload stuff ... it is bad to do so even if it is for 15 mins and he doesn't know it yet.

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#7

Post by shelldweller » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 11:24 AM UTC

v5v3 wrote: post #4

>There are similar services to this one, but they are either convoluted with ads, or require sign-up, or expect you to fill out a survey or something. So you just want to offer it free? What about ongoing responsibilities if you get DMCA and take down for copyright/child porn/fake nudes and so on

Its small and I have this vps for 2 years for basically free.

On the matter of dmca: the server doesn't accept large uploads, and only accepts pictures. So what will be stolen which is soooo tiny yet so important that grants legal action on a small service?

Also I don't know what people are uploading (and have no way of knowing), so my consciousness is clear. AND people don't use a random site on the internet for such filth, they have their own networks and chat apps. I wouldn't worry about them using my site.

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#8

Post by mb_thd » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 11:32 AM UTC

I agree with the other people in the comments that playing a role in transmitting illegal files (like CSAM) could land you in hot water.

Especially since you're storing it (temporarily) on your server.

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#9

Post by maltris » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 11:32 AM UTC

You should _really_ check the legal implications because actors _will_ abuse your tool. And you likely dont want to have that responsibility on your person.

That being said, I miss the good old times of omploader and all the other hosting services like abload.de (which was very popular in german forums).

Re: Show HN: I made a private self-destructing image hosting site in Golang

#10

Post by dewey » Tue, Aug 04, 2026, 11:42 AM UTC

shelldweller wrote: post #7

v5v3 wrote: post #4

>There are similar services to this one, but they are either convoluted with ads, or require sign-up, or expect you to fill out a survey or something. So you just want to offer it free? What about ongoing responsibilities if you get DMCA and take down for copyright/child porn/fake nudes and so on

Its small and I have this vps for 2 years for basically free. On the matter of dmca: the server doesn't accept large uploads, and only accepts pictures. So what will be stolen which is soooo tiny yet so important that grants legal action on a small service? Also I don't know what people are uploading (and have no way of knowing), so my consciousness is clear. AND people don't use a random site on the internet for suc…

I mean that in the nicest way possible, but you do not have the knowledge to operate such a website if that's the questions you are asking.