[samtheprogram]

Why not just use a temporary file system like /tmp?

EDIT: I suppose these are often backed by memory anyway, so not sure if this would solve the problem, but interested in hearing arguments around it nonetheless.

[TylerE]

Because there is zero guarantee /tmp gets cleared regularly, if ever.

[stronglikedan]

But that onus is on the OS, not the browser.

[TylerE]

Exactly? The browser shouldn't depend on the OS to DTRT.

[tylergetsay]

Firefox will cache videos from sites like YouTube in /tmp last I checked.