US Patent 9378337 Data item deletion in a database system

Example systems and methods of deleting data stored in a database system are presented. In one example, a plurality of data items is received from an application and stored at the database system. Also received from the application and stored at the database system is deletion timing information for each of the data items. The deletion timing information for a data item may indicate when the data item is to be deleted from the database system. At least one of the data items may be deleted at the database system at a time indicated by its corresponding deletion timing information without assistance from the application.