A method and device for securely sharing images across untrusted channels includes downloading an encrypted image from a remote server to a computing device. The encrypted image may be encrypted at the time of uploading by another user. The current user of the computing device is authenticated using a facial recognition procedure. If the current user is authenticated and is determined to be authorized to view the decrypted image, the encrypted image is decrypted and displayed to the user. If the user becomes unauthenticated (e.g., the user leaves the computing device or another user replaces the current user), the encrypted image is displayed in place of the decrypted image such that the decrypted image is displayed only for authorized persons physically present at the computing device.