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A filter published by cornfieldlabs targets the scripts behind autoplay video players on TechCrunch pages and hides the resulting empty player areas. The author reports it works with the full version of uBlock Origin in Firefox, but not uBlock Origin Lite; the source does not provide independent testing or details about how widely the behavior occurs.
A user identified as cornfieldlabs has published a set of uBlock Origin filter rules intended to stop embedded videos from autoplaying on TechCrunch articles. The rules target scripts associated with JW Player and Connatix, and add cosmetic filters to hide the player areas; the author says they work in the full version of uBlock Origin for Firefox, not uBlock Origin Lite.
The report says TechCrunch articles load a JW Player embed that plays video automatically in the middle of a post, alongside a floating ad player from Connatix. The author argues that hiding the visible player alone does not stop playback, because the player can continue running in the background. The proposed rules aim to prevent that by blocking the relevant scripts before the video player loads.
The supplied filter set includes network rules for JW Player library and CDN scripts, plus a rule for third-party Connatix resources on TechCrunch. Two cosmetic rules target TechCrunch page elements associated with the inline JW Player and promotional player. The report instructs users to paste the rules into Dashboard → My filters in uBlock Origin and select “Apply changes.”
The source describes this as working with full uBlock Origin on Firefox, specifying the Manifest V2 version rather than uBO Lite. That compatibility statement comes from the filter author; the source material offers no test results across other browsers, devices, or extensions, and no response from TechCrunch or the player vendors.
Stopping Playback, Not Just Hiding It
The practical distinction is between concealing a player and preventing its media from loading. A cosmetic filter can remove an element from view while leaving its scripts active. The author’s network rules are intended to block those scripts, while the cosmetic rules remove the blank space left behind. If the rules work as described, readers can avoid the autoplaying content rather than merely no longer seeing the player.
The report also illustrates a limitation of site-specific filters: they depend on the site’s current player vendors and page structure. A change in TechCrunch’s video setup could make some rules ineffective. For users, this is a narrow workaround rather than a general browser setting or a change to TechCrunch’s own autoplay policy.
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How the Proposed Rules Work
The filter combines two approaches uBlock Origin supports. Network filters target requests for scripts and third-party resources, while cosmetic filters hide selected elements in a webpage’s layout. In this case, the report says the network rules address JW Player and Connatix resources on TechCrunch, and the cosmetic rules hide the player containers.
Cornfieldlabs warns that if TechCrunch changes video vendors, the cosmetic rules may still hide the player box, but a new network rule may be needed to stop playback or audio. The supplied account does not identify when the filter was tested or document a history of changes to TechCrunch’s video players, so the rules should be understood as a user-published solution for the page behavior described in that report.
““Hiding it isn’t enough, because the player keeps running in the background.””
— Cornfieldlabs
Browser Support and Filter Longevity
The supplied report does not provide a publication date, test methodology, screenshots, or independent verification of the filter’s behavior. It is therefore unclear whether the rules work on every TechCrunch article, whether they cover all autoplay videos or only the player configuration described, and whether they work in browsers beyond Firefox.
The author explicitly limits the compatibility claim to the full uBlock Origin for Firefox and excludes uBO Lite. The source does not explain whether that difference reflects the filter features available in Lite, nor does it confirm that the rules remain current. TechCrunch’s present video and advertising configuration, and any response from the company, are not provided.
When the Site Changes Players
The immediate next step for anyone trying the rules is to add them in the full uBlock Origin dashboard as described and check whether the targeted player stops loading on the relevant TechCrunch pages. The report does not announce an official rollout, a maintainer commitment, or a schedule for updates.
If TechCrunch changes its player vendor or page markup, the filter author says the cosmetic rules may continue to hide the player area while the network rules need revision. Users relying on the workaround may need an updated filter if video or audio continues to load. No further update or confirmation from TechCrunch was included in the supplied material.
Key Questions
What does the filter try to block?
It targets JW Player scripts and third-party Connatix resources on TechCrunch, then hides page elements associated with the player. The source says this is intended to stop autoplay video rather than only remove its visible box.
Which version of uBlock Origin does the report say it supports?
Cornfieldlabs reports that the rules work in the full uBlock Origin for Firefox, identified as the Manifest V2 version. The author specifically says they are not for uBO Lite.
How does the report say users can add the rules?
It directs users to paste the filter list into Dashboard → My filters in uBlock Origin and click “Apply changes.” The supplied source does not provide a separate installation guide for other browsers or extensions.
Will the rules keep working if TechCrunch changes its video player?
Not necessarily. The author says the cosmetic rules may keep hiding the player box, but a new network rule may be needed to stop playback or audio if TechCrunch switches video vendors.
Has the filter been independently tested?
No independent testing is described in the supplied report. The compatibility and behavior claims are attributed to cornfieldlabs, and broader browser support and current effectiveness remain unconfirmed.
Source: cornfieldlabs.github.io
