Since a few days ago, it is not possible to listen to most things on Soundcloud without allowing DRM in the browser (which wont happen on my computer). So I cannot listen to tracks posted on Soundcloud by AS members.
It happens since a few days ago. I didnt update my browser at this time, so it's a Soundcloud thing. Even tracks I was able to listen to in the recent past are now affected. Does anyone know something about this ? I'm assuming it is here to stay.

 

No difference here. But you could just drop the track url into lucida.to and download instead of streaming them.

Link one that isn't working for you.

 

Use a browser that supports DRM and Widevine—like Firefox, Chrome, or Edge—with DRM enabled.

Spoiler: Source: ChatGPT KI

It does indeed look like something has changed on SoundCloud's side—and not just for you. Here's what’s going on:

Why you're suddenly forced to allow DRM in your browser
1. SoundCloud's recent adoption of DRM protection

• In mid‑2024, SoundCloud integrated a DRM system using BuyDRM’s KeyOS platform to secure streaming content and combat unauthorized access and piracy SoundCloud+14PPC Land+14Advanced Television+14.
  
  
• This DRM layer is now being enforced more broadly: tracks you were previously able to listen to may now require a DRM-capable browser session.

2. Browser DRM support is required

• DRM playback relies on browser support for Widevine (Google's streaming DRM)—commonly enabled in Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and Safari.
  
  
• If your browser doesn't support or allow DRM (e.g. Widevine disabled), playback is blocked, and you'll see a prompt like “enable DRM to play” Reddit.
  
  
• That matches your experience: content that used to work is now blocked because SoundCloud tightened DRM enforcement.

What you can (and can’t) do
✅ Options to regain listening capability:

• Use a browser that supports DRM and Widevine—like Firefox, Chrome, or Edge—with DRM enabled.
  
  
• Make sure “Play DRM‑controlled content” (or equivalent) is turned on in browser settings.

❌ You can’t avoid the DRM requirement:

• Even disabling browser extensions, using a privacy-focused fork, or changing user‑agent often doesn’t help once a site locks content behind Widevine.
  
  
• As others have noted on Reddit—even browsers like Brave or LibreWolf, Zen, etc., may lack a DRM license unless explicitly enabled—so playback fails RedditReddit.

Community experiences & support issues

• Reddit posts confirm this is not an isolated issue: many users report tracks suddenly requiring DRM, even older uploads, and browsers failing to play content if DRM is disabled.
  
  
• Some creators report frequent false copyright flags or takedowns, making the system feel brittle tunefab.com+12Reddit+12Reddit+12.

⭐ Summary
Situation Explanation
Content that previously played now requires DRM SoundCloud now enforces Multi‑DRM via BuyDRM’s platform
Browser setup works for other content but not SoundCloud Likely DRM is disabled or unsupported (e.g. no Widevine)
Playback failure message: "enable DRM" This is a common browser/site response when DRM is blocked
Your next steps:

• Switch to a DRM-capable browser and ensure Widevine or equivalent is enabled in settings.
  
  
• Unfortunately, if DRM remains mandatory on SoundCloud, bypassing it via unsupported browsers may not be possible.
  
  
• If DRM support is not feasible for you (e.g. privacy needs), consider using the SoundCloud mobile app—many mobile apps have built-in DRM support.

If you want help checking whether your browser supports DRM or how to enable Widevine, let me know your browser name and version—I can guide you through the setup.

 

Here's one which worked in the past and doesnt anymore.
Any soundcloud hosted track in the Friendly Non-Contest thread or other AS threads does the same.
It's the same either embedded here or on the soundcloud site, the latest also tries to extract canvas data from my browser.

Thanks for the lucida tip, @clone.

Thank you very much but I will not enable any DRM in my browser. And I dont allow the html5 canvas data to be extracted.

F.O.A.D. soundcloud. I'll do without.

 

Hmm, strange, I use Firefox with the option "Digital Rights Management (DRM) Content" NOT ticked on and I can play it.
What is your setting?

 

The DRM box is not ticked. Firefox 140.0.4.

I dont allow DRM when asked and the audio doesnt play.

Maybe it is related to an adblocking extension. I'll try to deactivate them and check if it changes anything.

 

in Opera, if you go to: opera://settings/content/protectedContent you see an On/Off option for
"To play content protected by copyright, sites may need to use a content protection service"

Maybe someone can concoct a Big Brother theory about it tracking what content you watch/listen to.

 

Opera is a spyware. Last time I tried it (maybe 10 years ago), it tried to phone home every 20 seconds during all the time it was running.