How do I disable Widevine DRM?

Scott

https://bayimg.com/2243b69521f251090ddffea14a0e2c76113718a4.jpg

I was quite shocked that GOS implements DRM mechanisms. I thought that only existed in the closed source world. How can I disable Widevine completely?

Background:

Defective by Design (DBD) is a grassroots anti-digital rights management (DRM) initiative by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and CivicActions. Launched in 2006, DBD believes that DRM (which they call "digital restrictions management") makes technology deliberately defective, negatively affects digital freedoms, and is "a threat to innovation in media, the privacy of readers, and freedom for computer users."[2] The initiative regularly campaigns against the use of DRM by the media industry and software industry to increase awareness of the anti-DRM movement and pressure industries into no longer using DRM. They are known for their use of hazmat suits in their demonstrations.

https://www.defectivebydesign.org/

Thank you

de0u

Scott I was quite shocked that GOS implements DRM mechanisms.

If GrapheneOS did not, other people would be shocked when Netflix (etc.) didn't work. Such as under a year ago: https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/7981-netflix-users-wait

de0u

Scott How can I disable Widevine completely?

At the moment you might need to build GrapheneOS yourself leaving out some of Widevine. Or an issue could be filed asking for a "Disable Widevine" option.

p338k

de0u
There is a related issue on the tracker: https://github.com/GrapheneOS/os-issue-tracker/issues/2314

de0u

p338k here is a related issue on the tracker: https://github.com/GrapheneOS/os-issue-tracker/issues/2314

Indeed! I opened it, based on reports from forum users.

I honestly don't know whether it would be easier (or more desirable) to implement what's requested in that issue (warning users when the i.d. is accessed, maybe including a denial option), implementing a "disable" option next to the two existing proxy options, or both.

I suspect that if an issue is filed requesting a "disable" option then the two issues will be cross-linked.

If somebody wants to file an issue asking for a "disable" option (and has a GitHub account), I think that would be reasonable. If somebody (perhaps without a GitHub account) wants me to file an issue, I am willing.

I doubt either solution approach is likely to be immediate. The Pixel 9 series is about to drop, and Android 15 is around the corner. The past couple of quarterly releases have been a bit of a rough ride, so the A15 drop might be as well, in which case developer time may not be that easy to come by for a while.

Scott

I don't quite understand why GOS users need Netflix and co.

There has been a small but very functional Torrent community for 20+ years. If you can use GOS, you can also use a Torrent client and find trackers without any problems. But everyone can decide for themselves whether they want to buy a very expensive Netflix subscription or prefer to use alternative sources.

I just think that DRM and FOSS is a contrast.

I would very much like it if the users could be choosing between a free-version (no DRM) and Widevine-version (DRM restricted).

I naturally understand that the developer resources is very limited and that further builds mean a lot of effort.

secrec

Scott Being security conscious doesn't mean that you have to or should take a pro-piracy position. Everything comes down to finding the right balance of security vs functionality, and sometimes, giving up a bit of security to an entity you have some trust for is an acceptable compromise to gain the functionality needed.

From the GOS management's perspective, they can't be suggesting piracy, which means that the options they can offer is either to allow you to choose to make that compromise, or not be able to consume that kind of media. An off-switch of some sort would be the next step to pointing out the compromise.