Nonforwarding

Nonforwarding is a policy or technical capability designed to prevent the forwarding or redistribution of a message, document, or content beyond its original recipient. It is used to limit the dissemination of confidential information, enforce licensing terms, or maintain control over sensitive communications.

In practice, nonforwarding can be implemented through client-side controls, such as disabling the forward or share functions in email, messaging, or document viewers. It can also be enforced by digital rights management wrappers, usage licenses, or time- and recipient-bound access links. Some systems rely on explicit 'do not forward' flags within metadata or on watermarking to deter sharing.

Applications span corporate communications, healthcare and legal contexts where patient or privileged information must remain restricted, academic or media content distributed under non-distribution licenses, and government or military environments with tight information controls. Secure collaboration platforms and enterprise messaging tools frequently offer nonforwarding settings as part of broader data protection measures.

Limitations include the potential for circumvention through manual transcription, screenshots, or alternative channels, meaning nonforwarding cannot guarantee complete secrecy. It can also create friction for legitimate collaboration and may raise usability or interoperability issues across devices and platforms. The enforceability of nonforwarding terms may depend on jurisdiction and the applicable contract or license.

Related concepts include do-not-forward notices, forwarding restrictions, digital rights management, and data loss prevention strategies.