Embodiments are directed towards decrypting encrypted content. A key for decrypting the encrypted content may be provided to a web application executing within a browser. The application may employ a generic cryptography application program interface (GCAPI) to perform actions on the key, including, storing the key, decrypting an encrypted key, generating another key, converting the key to a different encryption type, or the like. The GCAPI may or may not be enabled to explicitly share the key with the browser's media engine. In response to receiving encrypted content, the GCAPI may provide the key to the application, explicitly or inexplicitly to the browser's media engine, or the like. The key may be utilized by the application, the browser, the media element, browser's media engine, and/or the GCAPI to decrypt the encrypted content. The decrypted content may be displayed within the browser to a user of a client device.