Content Decryption Module (CDM)

A Content Decryption Module (CDM) is a software component used in web browsers to securely decrypt and play encrypted multimedia content, such as videos and audio files. It is an essential part of digital rights management (DRM) systems, ensuring that copyrighted content is protected from unauthorized access and piracy.

CDMs work in conjunction with HTML5's Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) API, which provides a standardized way for web applications to interact with CDMs. When a user requests encrypted content, the EME API communicates with the CDM to securely obtain the decryption keys and decrypt the content for playback.

CDMs are typically provided by content providers or DRM vendors and are specific to each browser or platform. They implement various encryption algorithms and security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the decrypted content.

By utilizing CDMs, content creators can distribute their valuable multimedia content on the web while ensuring its protection against unauthorized copying and distribution.