UpScrolled, a social media application developed by Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian entrepreneur Issam Hijazi, has been rapidly gaining traction across various countries, including the United States. This surge comes as users are increasingly seeking alternatives to TikTok, especially following last week’s acquisition of TikTok’s U.S. entity by Oracle’s Larry Ellison, a prominent supporter of Israel. This development has raised apprehensions about potential censorship of pro-Palestine content on the widely used platform, which still operates under its parent company, ByteDance, based in China.
The recent permanent ban of Emmy Award-winning journalist Bisan Owda from TikTok has ignited strong reactions, leading to calls for boycotts among her supporters. This incident, coupled with accusations of censorship regarding critical content related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has positioned TikTok under scrutiny for its content moderation practices.
Founded just a year ago, UpScrolled now ranks as the most downloaded social networking app in the U.S. Apple App Store, while also gaining significant attention in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Users disenchanted with TikTok have flocked to UpScrolled, attracted by its commitment to transparency and user empowerment. Following a surge in downloads, the platform experienced temporary challenges with its servers over the weekend, which the team promptly addressed.
UpScrolled’s unique design combines features familiar to users of X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, enabling posts that include photos, short videos, and text. Notably, the app has a “Discover Page” that showcases a variety of topics, with discussions and content surrounding Palestine becoming particularly prominent.
The app has attracted several notable figures, including Chris Smalls, a labor activist, and Jacob Berger, an actor known for his role in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” These high-profile users reflect the platform’s growing cultural relevance and its role in facilitating conversations about social justice issues.
Issam Hijazi’s motivation for creating UpScrolled stems from his experiences in the tech industry and a desire to provide a platform free from pervasive content censorship. With backing from Tech for Palestine, an initiative supporting technology projects that advocate for Palestinian rights, UpScrolled aims to engage users in unfettered discussions without the interference of algorithms designed to maximize screen time.
The application takes pride in its moderation policies, only addressing illegal content while allowing for open expression. Users on UpScrolled benefit from a chronological feed, a feature many other platforms have abandoned amidst concerns about user engagement metrics. This approach aims to foster a more authentic, less algorithmically driven social media environment.
As of the latest reports, UpScrolled has achieved approximately 400,000 downloads in the U.S. and 700,000 globally since its launch in June 2025. The initial surge in downloads occurred coinciding with TikTok’s new U.S. operational agreements, suggesting a significant shift in user preferences.
With its emphasis on community and user agency, UpScrolled is poised to become a significant player in the social media landscape, particularly for those who value free expression and ethical technology practices.
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