What Happened to Blacklisting?
Blacklisting refers to the practice of creating a list of individuals, entities, or items that are to be excluded, denied access, or subjected to punitive measures. Historically rooted in employment and political suppression, the concept has evolved to encompass various modern applications, including cybersecurity, international sanctions, and fraud prevention. The term itself is increasingly being replaced by 'denylist' or 'blocklist' due to concerns over its racial connotations.
Quick Answer
Blacklisting, a practice with historical roots in employment and political exclusion, continues today in various forms such as cybersecurity access control, international financial sanctions, and fraud prevention. While still widely used, there's a growing movement to replace the term with 'denylist' or 'blocklist' due to its problematic racial connotations. Recent developments in 2026 include legal challenges to employment blacklisting in California, ongoing international sanctions by bodies like FATF, and the striking down of investment-related 'blacklist' laws in the US.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
First recorded use of 'blacklist'
The term 'black list' was used in English dramatist Philip Massinger's 1639 tragedy 'The Unnatural Combat' and later in state papers of Charles II.
Blacklisting in Employment for Union Activity
The term 'blacklist' began to be specifically used for employers' lists of workers considered troublesome, often for union organizing activities.
USA National Labor Relations Act Outlaws Punitive Blacklists
The Act outlawed punitive blacklists against employees who supported trade unions or criticized their employers, though the practice continued covertly.
Hollywood Blacklist Begins
Fueled by post-WWII anti-communist fervor, the Hollywood blacklist emerged from investigations by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), targeting entertainment industry professionals.
Hollywood Blacklist Effectively Broken
The Hollywood blacklist effectively ended as it became acknowledged that blacklisted professionals had been working under assumed names for years.
New York State Outlaws Tenant Blacklisting
The New York Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) made it illegal for landlords to deny rental applications based on an applicant's past housing court records.
Increased Push for Inclusive Terminology
A growing movement advocates for replacing 'blacklist' and 'whitelist' with 'denylist' and 'allowlist' due to racial connotations, with many organizations adopting these alternatives.
Myanmar Added to FATF Blacklist
Myanmar was added to the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) blacklist of high-risk jurisdictions, joining Iran and North Korea.
Clean Slate Laws Gain Momentum
A compliance guide highlights that 14 US states are actively automating record sealing through Clean Slate legislation, impacting employment blacklisting.
Texas 'Business Blacklist Law' Struck Down
A U.S. District Court struck down Texas' Senate Bill 13, known as the 'business blacklist law,' which penalized companies for making sustainable investments perceived as boycotting fossil fuel companies.
California Reaffirms Employee Blacklisting Illegality
California's Labor Code §§ 1050–1054 continues to make employee blacklisting illegal, providing remedies for workers whose ability to find new employment is intentionally interfered with by former employers.
Report Criticizes Construction Sector Blacklisting in UK
A Government report from the Scottish Affairs Select Committee criticized 43 construction companies for 'systematic blacklisting' of union officials, a practice illegal since 2010.
FATF Blacklist Update
The FATF confirmed its blacklist of high-risk jurisdictions remains Iran, North Korea (DPRK), and Myanmar, subject to counter-measures for AML/CFT deficiencies.
EU Adopts 21st Sanctions Package Against Russia
The EU adopted its 21st package of restrictive measures against Russia, including adding 33 more banks to the transaction ban list, effectively expanding a form of financial blacklisting.
NY AG Settles Tenant Blacklisting Case
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with Brooklyn High Rise LLC for illegally denying housing to over 200 prospective tenants based on housing court records.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The concept of blacklisting, originating in the 17th century, historically referred to lists of individuals deemed undesirable or untrustworthy, often leading to their exclusion from employment or social circles. Early instances include lists of regicides in 17th-century England and, by the late 1800s, lists of employees involved in union organizing in the US. A prominent historical example is the Hollywood Blacklist, instituted in 1947, which barred entertainment professionals with alleged Communist sympathies from employment until its effective end around 1960.
In the modern era, blacklisting has diversified into several key domains. In cybersecurity, it functions as an access control system to deny entry to specific IP addresses, users, applications, or websites identified as malicious. This 'default allow' approach blocks known threats while permitting all other access. However, this method requires constant updates to remain effective against evolving threats.
Economically and politically, blacklisting is evident in international sanctions. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), for instance, maintains a 'blacklist' of 'High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action' for deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. As of June 2026, Iran, North Korea, and Myanmar remain on this list, facing severe financial restrictions. Such international blacklisting has faced criticism for potential human rights violations and lack of due process.
In employment, while punitive blacklisting against employees for union activity or whistleblowing is largely illegal, particularly in states like California (Labor Code §§ 1050–1054), informal practices persist. Recent legislative efforts like 'Ban the Box' and 'Clean Slate' laws aim to reduce employment barriers for individuals with criminal histories, impacting how employers can use background checks. A Scottish Affairs Select Committee report in April 2026 criticized construction companies for systematic blacklisting of union officials, highlighting ongoing concerns. Furthermore, in September 2026, the New York Attorney General announced a settlement with a real estate firm for illegally blacklisting tenants based on prior housing court records.
A significant turning point in the discourse around blacklisting is the increasing awareness of its problematic terminology. Many organizations and industries are actively moving to replace 'blacklist' and 'whitelist' with more neutral and inclusive terms like 'denylist' and 'allowlist' or 'blocklist'. This shift, gaining momentum since at least 2021, addresses concerns that the terms carry racial connotations, associating 'black' with negativity and 'white' with approval. This linguistic evolution reflects a broader societal push for diversity and inclusion, with companies like IBM acknowledging the terms as 'legacy terminology' they are trying to move away from. As of 2026, this movement continues to influence technical documentation and corporate communication.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Blacklisting made different choices?