Key Takeaways
- UpScrolled hit #1 in US app downloads after TikTok’s deal with American investors raised censorship fears among users posting about Palestine and political topics.
- The app promises no algorithmic tricks – your feed stays in chronological order, and there are no shadowbans or content manipulation like other platforms use.
- Created by Issam Hijazi, a developer who left Big Tech companies like Oracle and IBM after losing family in Gaza and wanting to build a censorship-free alternative.
- Over 700,000 people downloaded it globally in just seven months, with most downloads happening in late January when TikTok banned Emmy-winning journalist Bisan Owda.
- Palestine content dominates the platform, with users flocking there to share posts and videos that they feel get suppressed on Instagram, TikTok, and other mainstream social networks.
A new social media app called UpScrolled is making waves across the United States and beyond. The platform jumped to the top of download charts this week. Many users are searching for alternatives to established social networks amid growing concerns about content censorship.
UpScrolled reached number one in Apple’s App Store for social networking. The app was created by Issam Hijazi, a Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian developer. It launched just seven months ago in June 2024.
Table of Contents
Why People Are Switching
The timing of UpScrolled’s rise is notable. TikTok recently formed a partnership with US-backed investors. Larry Ellison, who owns Oracle, gained a stake in TikTok’s American operations. This change worried many users who post content about Palestine and other political topics.
The concerns grew stronger when TikTok permanently banned journalist Bisan Owda. She won an Emmy Award and reports from Gaza for Al Jazeera. Her ban sparked immediate backlash. Users also complained about content being suppressed around immigration enforcement issues.
These incidents pushed thousands of people toward UpScrolled. The sudden flood of new users actually crashed the platform’s servers over the weekend. However, the team quickly worked to fix the problems.
What Makes UpScrolled Different
UpScrolled combines features from several popular apps. Users can post photos, videos, and text updates. The interface looks similar to X (formerly Twitter). People can like posts, leave comments, and share content with others.
The platform promises something unique: no algorithmic manipulation. Your feed stays in chronological order. This means you see posts based on when they were published, not what an algorithm thinks you want to see. Major platforms removed this feature years ago despite user complaints.
Additionally, UpScrolled claims it only removes illegal content. Things like hard drug sales get taken down. Everything else stays up. The company says it won’t shadowban users or play favorites based on who pays more.
Hijazi explained his approach in a recent interview. “It’s not because we don’t know how,” he said about addictive algorithms. “But I don’t want to do that because I know the effect it can have on people, mentally, especially the younger generation.”
The Numbers Behind the Growth
Marketing firm Sensor Tower tracked UpScrolled’s downloads. By late January, about 700,000 people worldwide had installed the app. Around 400,000 of those downloads came from the United States alone.
The real surge began on January 22. That’s the same day TikTok announced its deal with American investors. Between January 21 and 27, UpScrolled saw 85 percent of its total US downloads happen.
The app also performed well in other English-speaking countries. Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia all saw high download numbers.
Who Created This Platform
Issam Hijazi previously worked for major tech companies. He spent time at both Oracle and IBM. However, he left that world behind to build UpScrolled.
His motivation came from personal experience. Hijazi lost family members in Gaza during the ongoing conflict there. He felt frustrated working for Big Tech while seeing content about Palestine get censored on major platforms.
“I couldn’t take it any more,” Hijazi said. “I lost family members in Gaza, and I didn’t want to be complicit.”
The platform gets backing from Tech for Palestine. This advocacy project funds technology initiatives that support Palestinian causes and voices.
What Users Are Posting
Right now, Palestine dominates UpScrolled’s Discover Page. This section works like Snapchat’s discovery feature. Hundreds of posts show the situation in Gaza or express solidarity with Palestinians.
Some notable figures joined the platform. Chris Smalls, the labor activist who organized Amazon workers, created an account. Actor Jacob Berger from Brooklyn Nine-Nine also signed up. Both men participated in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla last year.
Most users currently share photos and text rather than videos. This differs from TikTok’s video-first approach. Some technical issues with video uploads occurred early on, though the team reports fixing these bugs.
Broader Censorship Concerns
The hashtag #TikTokCensorship trended across multiple platforms recently, pushing users to explore TikTok alternatives and third-party tools. Users believe TikTok suppresses certain political content. Beyond Palestine, people report problems posting about immigration enforcement and criticism of political leaders.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to investigate TikTok. The probe follows complaints about content related to various sensitive topics getting flagged or removed.
These concerns aren’t new. Last year, a UN report accused several tech companies of complicity in serious international issues. Users on Instagram, X, and TikTok have long complained about shadowbans on political content.
The Road Ahead
UpScrolled faces big challenges. Competing with established platforms requires massive resources. The app must also figure out how to moderate content responsibly while keeping its promises about freedom.
The platform’s website emphasizes user ownership. It states the app belongs to the people using it, “not to hidden algorithms or outside agendas.”
Whether UpScrolled can maintain this approach while growing remains unclear. For now, frustrated users are giving it a chance. They want a space where their voices won’t disappear into algorithmic silence.
The coming months will test if UpScrolled can deliver on its promises. Can a platform truly avoid censorship while staying functional? Time will tell if this newcomer changes social media or becomes another failed alternative.
