Merlin
Disable Page Visibility API

Disable Page Visibility API

This add-on disables the Page Visibility API.

What is Disable Page Visibility API?
"Disable Page Visibility API" is a Firefox add-on designed to disable the Page Visibility API followed by websites to identify if they are visible or not. Websites such as Twitch, utilize this API to pause video playback in background tabs for saving energy. This add-on is best suited for individuals who can subsidize a potential increase in energy use and does not affect other methods of webpage visibility detection.
Download
Merlin
Stats
Users: 2,696 ▲ 49
Rating: 4.63 (32)
Version: 1.2resigned1 (Last updated: 2024-04-25)
Creation date: 2017-12-19
Weekly download count: 86
Firefox on Android: Yes
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood: Moderate risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Size: 8.15K
Stats date:

Chrome-Stats Rank

# 1753 ▲ 3
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Not available on Chrome
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Merlin
Summary
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The Page Visibility API is used by webpages to detect if they are visible.

Some websites, among them Twitch, use this information to pause video playback in background tabs. This add-on disables the API for all pages.

Pausing playback of a video or other processing in a background tab is useful to save energy. So only enable this add-on if you can afford it.

There are other ways to detect if a webpage is visible, e.g. onblur/onfocus. This add-on does not disable any of those other ways. So do not assume that this add-on will enhance your privacy.

User reviews
User reviews summary
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Works as advertised and prevents pages from detecting when they are not in focus
  • Enables continued playback or download countdowns when tab is not active
  • Allows for background play of videos on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter, as well as on streaming sites like Twitch and YouTube
Cons
  • Does not work on Instagram reels or certain tutorial videos like those on skillbuilder.aws
  • Ineffective on the Page Visibility API documentation page on Mozilla Developer Network (MDN)
  • No toggle button, which means users cannot easily switch the functionality on and off
Most mentioned
  • Allows background play of videos, audio, and prevents pause on tab switch
  • Inconsistent performance across different websites
  • Lack of a toggle feature for easy enable/disable of the add-on
Recent reviews
Doesn't work on Instagram reels
by p, 2024-03-11
View all user reviews
Safety
Risk impact

Disable Page Visibility API may not be safe to use and it requires some risky permissions. Exercise caution when installing this add-on. Review carefully before installing.

Risk likelihood

Disable Page Visibility API is probably trust-worthy. Prefer other publishers if available. Exercise caution when installing this add-on.

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