Digital Rights Management (DRM) is technology that enables online video and audio services to enforce that the content they provide is used in accordance with their requirements. This technology may restrict some of the things you can do in the browser. While some DRM-controlled content can be viewed using the Microsoft Silverlight and Adobe Flash plugins, many services are moving towards HTML5 video that requires a different DRM mechanism called a Content Decryption Module (CDM).

Beginning in version 38, Firefox desktop supports HTML5 playback of DRM-controlled video and audio through the Adobe Primetime CDM. This CDM implements a DRM system called Adobe Primetime, which was previously available via the Adobe Flash plugin.

Firefox downloads and enables the Adobe Primetime CDM by default to give users a smooth experience on sites that require DRM. The CDM runs in a separate container called a sandbox and you will be notified when the CDM is in use. You can also disable the CDM and opt out of future updates by following the steps below. Once you disable the CDM, however, sites using this type of DRM may not operate properly.

Some sites may use DRM that is not supported by Adobe Primetime CDM. Support for viewing this content may require a third-party plugin.

Disable the Adobe Primetime CDM without uninstalling

Disabling Adobe Primetime from the Add-ons Manager prevents it from running on your computer and prevents future updates from downloading. To disable the CDM plugin:

1. Click the menu button , click Add-ons and themes and select Plugins.
2. Select Never Activate on the menu next to Primetime Content Decryption Module provided by Adobe Systems, Incorporated.

You may encounter sites where content playback is not possible without Adobe Primetime enabled. You may always turn Adobe Primetime on again by selecting Always Activate on the menu next to Primetime Content Decryption Module provided by Adobe Systems, Incorporated.

Opt out of CDM playback, uninstall CDMs and stop all CDM downloads

You have the choice to globally opt out of HTML5 DRM playback. Once you opt out, Firefox will delete any downloaded CDMs from your hard drive, cease all future CDM downloads and disable DRM playback. This affects only DRM-controlled HTML5 audio and video. To opt out of HTML5 DRM playback completely, follow these steps:

1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button and select Settings.
2. Click the Content panel.
3. Remove the check mark next to Play DRM content.

You may encounter sites where content playback is not possible without DRM enabled. You may always turn DRM playback on again by opening the OptionsPreferences > Content panel and putting a check mark next to Play DRM content. After checking the checkbox, HTML5 DRM playback will be re-enabled and the Adobe CDM will download automatically.

Supported platforms

Currently, Adobe Primetime is only available in Windows Vista/7/8/10 when using 32-bit versions of Firefox. Mac OS X, Linux, Windows XP and 64-bit versions of Firefox are currently not supported.

Similar opt-out capabilities will be offered on all new platforms where Firefox supports Adobe Primetime.