The Global Blacklist API
The Global Blacklist API is a project I started three days after I got access to the Steem Cleaners blacklist. It has been running for almost two years and supports eight (8) community blacklists and all Steem Engine Tribes.
The Global Blacklist API is used by over 50% of Steem dApps in one way or another
The Global Blacklist API has been a free service I offer to provide a standard and easy to use interface to access multiple blacklists on the Steem blockchain. dApps and services can choose to subscribe to one or more of the available blacklists and use to minimize abuse.
Currently, the Global Blacklist API supports the following blacklists:
- BuildAWhale
- SteemCleaners
- Redeemer
- MinnowBooster
- Actifit
- Yoodoo
- Smartsteem
- D-Tube
- All Steem Engine Tribes
One of the benefits of the Global Blacklist API is choice. dApps and services can choose which blacklists they want to use and only need to support a single standardized interface. As more blacklists are added to the API they can choose for themselves if they want to utilize the list.
I have never charged to use the Global Blacklist API or to include and support custom blacklists. While blacklisting isn't a foolproof solution and there will always be abuse, it does help identify accounts that have conducted abusive behavior.
While each blacklist has its own definition of abuse, my own blacklist focuses on Spam, Fraud, Plagiarism, and Scams. I am the sole contributor to my blacklist which has 44,561 entries. My blacklist is available publically on Github and is one of the eight (8) supported blacklists.
While I spend an enormous amount of time identifying and fighting abuse, this proposal is solely to support the development, maintenance, and collaboration efforts of the Global Blacklist API only.
When I say collaboration, I am referring to the support I offer to help projects and services create their own blacklist and include it in the Global Blacklist API.
The most recent change to the Global Blacklist API added support for checking Steem Engine Tribe's blacklists. This allows projects and Tribe owners to easily look at mute lists from all the Tribes.
You can view the Status Page for the Global Blacklist API at any time to see its uptime.
Blacklist Notifier Chrome Extension
An extension of the Global Blacklist API (very punny) is the Blacklist Notifier Chrome Extension. This is a free Google Chrome & Brave compatible extension targetted to abuse fighters and curators to allow them to know instantly if a user is on a known blacklist.
Not only does the extension work on Steemit.com, but it also works on these front ends:
- Steemit.com
- SteemPeak
- Steeve.app
- Pariko
- Busy.org
- Actifit
- PALNet
- SteemLEO
- StemGeeks
- Creative Coin
- WeedCash
- SplinterTalk
I consider this Chrome extension as part of the Global Blacklist API project and is included in this proposal.
Proposal
My proposal is looking for support to cover the costs associated with maintaining the Global Blacklist API and coordinating with projects and services who want to add a blacklist and have it supported by the Global Blacklist API and the associated Chrome extension Blacklist Notifier.
The proposal is for one-year to cover the direct and labor costs of maintaining the Global Blacklist API service.
This proposal requests daily pay of 20 SBD for 365 days.