What is Allowlist & Blocklist?

Formerly defined as whitelisting and blacklisting. An allowlist is a list of approved words, phrases, or users that are allowed on a platform, often used to bypass certain moderation filters. A blocklist is a list of words, phrases, or users that are banned from a platform due to their association with harmful or inappropriate content.

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Allowlist & Blocklist

In the realm of content moderation, the terms "allow list" and "block list" have become essential tools for managing and controlling the flow of information. These terms have replaced the older, more controversial terms "whitelist" and "blacklist" to promote more inclusive and neutral language.

What is an Allow List?

An allow list, also known as a "pass list" or "safe list," is a list of entities that are granted permission to access a particular service, platform, or resource. In content moderation, an allow list typically includes trusted sources, users, or types of content that are pre-approved for publication or access. This helps streamline the moderation process by automatically permitting content from known and reliable sources, reducing the workload on moderators.

What is a Block List?

A block list, also referred to as a "deny list" or "ban list," is a list of entities that are explicitly denied access to a particular service, platform, or resource. In content moderation, a block list is used to prevent the dissemination of harmful, inappropriate, or untrustworthy content. This can include specific users, IP addresses, domains, or types of content that have been identified as violating the platform's policies.

Limitations and Modern Solutions

While allow lists and block lists are useful, they are often a patchwork solution to a greater problem. These lists can be limited in scope and may not adapt well to the evolving nature of harmful content. As a result, they can lead to false positives (legitimate content being blocked) and false negatives (harmful content being allowed).

Modern content moderation increasingly relies on machine learning (ML) and large language models (LLMs) to provide more effective and robust solutions. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data, understand context, and adapt to new types of harmful content more efficiently than static word lists. By leveraging ML and LLMs, platforms can improve the accuracy and efficiency of their moderation efforts, ensuring a safer and more inclusive online environment.

Transition from Whitelist and Blacklist

The transition from using the terms "whitelist" and "blacklist" to "allow list" and "block list" reflects a broader movement towards more inclusive and neutral language in technology and beyond. The terms "whitelist" and "blacklist" have been criticized for their potential racial connotations, as they associate "white" with positive and "black" with negative. By adopting the terms "allow list" and "block list," organizations aim to eliminate these connotations and foster a more inclusive environment.