providing an electronic notification to an intended recipient includes communicating an electronic notification directed to an intended recipient , determining a lifespan related to a duration of relevance of the electronic notification , and providing the electronic notification to the intended recipient when the lifespan has not expired . the duration of relevance describes a time period during which information of the electronic notification reasonably may be expected usefully to inform an action or interest of the intended recipient . after the lifespan expires , provision of the electronic notification to the intended recipient may be prevented .