UpScrolled, a social media platform developed by Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian entrepreneur Issam Hijazi, has rapidly gained attention and downloads in multiple countries, including the United States, following growing concerns over content censorship on TikTok. The surge in interest comes shortly after TikTok’s US operations were acquired by US-backed investors, including Larry Ellison, Oracle owner and close associate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prompting worries among users about suppression of pro-Palestine content. The app gained global attention when TikTok permanently banned Emmy Award-winning journalist and Al Jazeera contributor Bisan Owda from Gaza, prompting calls for boycotts and migration to alternative platforms.
Founded in July 2025, UpScrolled offers a combination of photos, short-form videos, and text posts, blending the experiences of X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Its chronological feed, unlike many mainstream platforms, ensures posts are not influenced by hidden algorithms, while moderation is limited to illegal content, such as drug sales. The platform’s Discover Page, akin to Snapchat’s, has seen a surge in pro-Palestine posts, reflecting the platform’s appeal to users seeking unfiltered content. High-profile personalities, including labor activist Chris Smalls and actor Jacob Berger, have joined the platform, further increasing its visibility.
Since its launch, UpScrolled has been downloaded approximately 700,000 times globally, with around 400,000 downloads in the US alone, according to marketing intelligence firm Sensor Tower. The majority of US downloads occurred between January 21 and 27, coinciding with TikTok’s transition to an American-controlled entity. UpScrolled climbed to the top spot in the “social networking” category of Apple’s US App Store, surpassing TikTok, WhatsApp, and Threads, while also gaining traction in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The sudden influx of users temporarily caused server outages over the weekend, which the platform quickly addressed through an update to improve capacity.
Hijazi, who previously worked with Oracle and IBM, said he was motivated to create UpScrolled after witnessing censorship on major platforms and personal loss in Gaza. Backed by advocacy group Tech for Palestine, the platform prioritizes user agency and transparency, with a chronological feed and no addictive algorithms designed to keep users scrolling. Unlike other apps, UpScrolled is designed to provide a space for free expression, enabling users to share thoughts, photos, and short videos without interference from hidden agendas. The rise of UpScrolled reflects a broader trend of emerging social media alternatives like Skylight and Bluesky, which have similarly attracted users seeking more control over content visibility and moderation.
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