Why can’t we record and capture screenshots on Netflix?

If you are a user NetflixYou may have come across a situation where you want to share a movie or a very affectionate phrase in the movie you are watching, but when you take a screenshot as usual, the image returns “black and white”.

The reason for this is also easy to understand. Netflix is ​​a company that specializes in providing television content over the Internet and its income comes from the viewing of that content. In other words, sharing Netflix content outside of your platform for others to see is like you’re tapping into the company’s “pocket money.”

Therefore, Netflix is ​​forced to take steps to prevent illegal acts of circumvention and smuggling of illegal content by recording and capturing screenshots.

But the question is, how does Netflix block users from taking these actions? Netflix itself has never officially answered this question, so we have yet to rely on the analysis and judgment of tech-savvy people.

According to an analysis by Quora, content platforms like Netflix use DRM (Digital Rights Management) to encrypt and protect your movies from being shared abroad. Often times, a content provider like Netflix will have to use many different DRM systems because users can not only access movies through the app, but also through many different browsers and operating systems.

However, an interesting thing to know is that not all devices and browsers are prohibited from taking screenshots on Netflix. When reviewing the comments of some Netflix users on this topic, it can be seen that some Windows computer devices, Android phones or even iPhones can still take normal screenshots.

If Netflix uses DRM, why is there this heterogeneity? The same goes for the iPhone, but some people take screenshots, some don’t. A more detailed explanation is that because Netflix DRM does not work in sync with some users’ browser or OS version, your device can still capture screenshots as usual.

Besides the DRM app, another compelling explanation comes from a Quora user who claims to work at Netflix. According to him, the reason you can’t record screenshots of Netflix movies is because they have shaken hands with hardware manufacturers “against you.”

(Translation summary) “When you take screenshots, the hardware manufacturer adopts two functions at the same time, exclusive content playback and screen capture function. In that case, they give priority to the projection function. Exclusive video operator versus the screenshot function you use “

In simple terms, when you take a screenshot, you are trying to use the device’s hardware function to override the application’s video playback. In the meantime, the manufacturer will intentionally protect the interests of the service provider and “ignore” whether or not you get the screen image you want.

Not to mention that the respondent is a Netflix employee, this explanation is also very reasonable, because some Android phones are not blocked from taking screenshots it may be because the manufacturer has not cooperated with Netflix, at least. especially when producing that phone line. Or, your software has not been updated (or has been jailbroken / rooted), so the ability to capture screen images is not limited.

Either way, it’s understandable and fair that Netflix and other digital content platforms are trying to protect your income. You can’t feel comfortable if you still lose a few tens of thousands of months, but other people still see “smuggled” with good quality, right?

Photo: Facebook, Quora