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 Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight plugin, many services are moving towards HTML5 video that requires a different DRM mechanism called a Content Decryption Module (CDM).

Playing DRM-controlled content in Firefox

In Firefox version 51 and below, Firefox on Windows supports HTML5 playback of DRM-controlled video and audio content through the Adobe Primetime CDM. This CDM implements a DRM system called Adobe Primetime, which was previously available via the Adobe Flash plugin. In Firefox version 47 and above, Firefox for desktop also supports the Google Widevine CDM for playing DRM-controlled content.

Firefox downloads and enables the Google Widevine and Adobe Primetime CDM by default to give users a smooth experience on sites that require DRM.Firefox downloads and enables the Google Widevine CDM by default to give users a smooth experience on sites that require DRM.Firefox downloads and enables the Google Widevine CDM on demand, with user permission, 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 a CDM is in use. You can also disable a 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 Google Widevine CDMGoogle Widevine and Adobe Primetime CDM. Support for viewing this content may require a third-party NPAPI plugin, such as Microsoft Silverlight.The template "pluginSupportEOL" does not exist or has no approved revision.

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.In the General panel, navigate to the Files and Applications section.
3. Remove the check mark next to Play DRM contentPlay DRM-controlled content.

You may encounter sites where content playback is not possible without DRM enabled. You can always turn DRM playback on again by opening the Settings Content panel andGeneral panel and, under the Files and Applications section, putting a check mark next to Play DRM contentPlay DRM-controlled content. After checking the checkbox, HTML5 DRM playback will be re-enabled and the Google Widevine and Adobe Primetime CDM will download automatically.

Supported platforms

Google Widevine

• Windows Vista and higher
• Mac OS X 10.9 and higher
• x86 and x64 Linux

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