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. Beginning in version 47, Firefox desktop also supports the Google Widevine CDM.

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

Some sites may use DRM that is not supported by the Adobe Primetime or Google Widevine CDMs. Support for viewing this content may require a third-party NPAPI plugin, such as Microsoft Silverlight.

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 this 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.

Disable the Google Widevine CDM without uninstalling

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

1. Click the menu button , click Add-ons and themes and select Plugins.
2. Select Never Activate on the menu next to Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google Inc.

You may encounter sites where content playback is not possible without Google Widevine enabled. You may always turn Google Widevine on again by selecting Always Activate on the menu next to Widevine Content Decryption Module provided by Google Inc.

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 and Google CDMs will download automatically.

Supported platforms

Adobe Primetime is available on Windows Vista/7/8/10 for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Firefox. Google Widevine is available for Mac OS X 10.9/10.10/10.11, Windows Vista/7/8/10 for 32-bit Firefox, and Windows 7/8/10 for 64-bit Firefox.

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