A start-up in California has released a new iPhone application that allows people to erase embarrassing text messages that have already been sent.

Jeffrey Evans, founder of X Sigma Partners, said that the new iPhone program was given the name TigerText after embattled golf star Tiger Woods. This is in reference to the messages Woods allegedly sent his so-called mistresses that proved his indiscretions.

Evans clarified, however, that the new app is not about cheating and instead: “If you send a private text message it should stay private.”

TigerText is capable of deleting text messages that practice privacy. It is currently available for iPhones but it would be available for Blackberry and Android-running phones by the end of March.

The text messages sent through TigerText will actually be hosted by server of the company so that it can be erased by the sender anytime he/she wants. Thus, the receiver of the text is prompted to download the application for free so that he/she can read the message.

Sent messages can be manually deleted by the sender or can be set to vanish within a specified time. The app has a “delete on read” feature which gives the recipient 60 seconds after opening the message to read it before it gets erased.

Messages sent through TigerText cannot be copied, forwarded or saved by the recipients.

Evans defended the purpose of his app saying that 99 percent of people who want to keep their messages are not exactly cheating on their spouses.

Receiving messages cost nothing but if one wishes to send 250 messages through TigerText in a month, a fee of $1.49 will be charged. Unlimited messaging costs $2.49 per month.