Discontent with TikTok’s recent ownership changes has fueled the rapid rise of a new social media platform called UpScrolled, which promises transparency, user control, and freedom of expression. Created by Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian developer Issam Hijazi, the app has quickly climbed download charts in several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Many former TikTok users are migrating to UpScrolled after concerns emerged about possible censorship of political and social content, especially posts related to Palestine and immigration issues in the United States.
Why Are Users Leaving TikTok?
TikTok recently finalized an agreement that placed its US operations under American-backed investors and technology firms. Among those involved is Oracle founder Larry Ellison, a known supporter of Israel and ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This move sparked fears among users that political content—particularly pro-Palestinian posts—could be restricted or deprioritized.
The controversy intensified after the permanent ban of Emmy Award-winning journalist and Gaza-based Al Jazeera contributor Bisan Owda. Her removal led to boycott calls and accusations of selective moderation.
Users have also reported reduced visibility for content discussing:
-
Immigration and ICE enforcement actions
-
Criticism of former President Donald Trump
-
Posts related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation
TikTok later blamed technical glitches on a power outage at a US data center, but skepticism among users remains strong.
What Is UpScrolled and How Does It Work?
UpScrolled combines features of X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, allowing users to share:
-
Text posts
-
Photos
-
Short videos
Its layout resembles X, with options to like, comment, and repost content. However, most users currently rely on text and image posts rather than video clips.
The app also includes a Discover Page, similar to Snapchat’s discovery feed. Palestine-related content dominates this space, reflecting the political motivations driving much of the platform’s early growth.
High-Profile Users Joining UpScrolled
Several well-known figures have joined the platform, including:
-
Chris Smalls, American labor activist and former Amazon Union leader
-
Jacob Berger, Jewish-American actor known for Brooklyn Nine-Nine
-
Activists from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Their participation has helped boost the platform’s credibility and visibility.
Who Created UpScrolled?
UpScrolled was founded in July 2025 by Issam Hijazi, a former engineer at major tech firms such as Oracle and IBM. The project is supported by Tech for Palestine, an organization that funds technology initiatives promoting digital rights.
Hijazi has said he left the corporate tech world after witnessing widespread content censorship across mainstream platforms.
He stated that his goal was to build a platform that:
-
Moderates only illegal content
-
Avoids addictive algorithms
-
Displays posts in chronological order
-
Does not manipulate engagement through hidden ranking systems
How UpScrolled’s Algorithm Is Different
Unlike TikTok and Instagram, UpScrolled does not use algorithms designed to keep users endlessly scrolling. Instead:
-
Feeds appear chronologically
-
Discover content is ranked by engagement
-
AI is being tested only for content organization, not manipulation
This approach is meant to protect mental health and give users more control over what they see.
Download Growth and User Statistics
According to marketing intelligence firm Sensor Tower:
-
400,000 downloads in the US
-
700,000 downloads globally
-
85% of US downloads occurred between January 21 and 27
The surge began the same day TikTok announced its US ownership deal.
📊UpScrolled Download Performance (January 2026)
| Region | Estimated Downloads | App Store Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 400,000 | #1 Social Networking (Apple) |
| United Kingdom | High growth | Top 10 |
| Canada | High growth | Top 10 |
| Australia | High growth | Top 10 |
| Global Total | 700,000+ | Rising |
Server Overload and Technical Issues
The rapid influx of users briefly overwhelmed UpScrolled’s servers over the weekend. Founder Issam Hijazi confirmed that capacity has since been expanded and technical bugs fixed.
He wrote on the platform:
“Crazy load on our servers. We are scaling quickly to keep the service stable.”
Censorship Allegations Against TikTok
Since the ownership transition, hashtags such as #TikTokCensorship have trended on X and Instagram.
Users accuse TikTok of suppressing:
-
Pro-Palestine posts
-
Anti-ICE content
-
Political criticism
-
Investigative topics
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an investigation following complaints that Epstein-related content was being flagged.
Other Rising TikTok Alternatives
UpScrolled is not the only platform gaining attention.
📊 Emerging Social Media Alternatives
| App Name | Focus | Active Users |
|---|---|---|
| UpScrolled | Text, photos, transparency | 700,000+ |
| Skylight | Short-form video | 380,000+ |
| Bluesky | X alternative | 1.5 million |
Bluesky, led by CEO Jay Graber, appeals mainly to users who oppose Elon Musk’s management of X.
What Makes UpScrolled Different?
UpScrolled promotes:
-
Transparent moderation
-
Chronological feeds
-
Minimal data manipulation
-
Community ownership philosophy
On its website, the company says it aims to create a space where people can “freely express thoughts, share moments, and connect with others—without hidden agendas.”
Conclusion
UpScrolled’s sudden rise reflects a growing demand for alternative social platforms that prioritize openness, ethical design, and freedom of expression. While TikTok continues to dominate global video sharing, the controversy surrounding censorship and ownership has opened the door for competitors.
Whether UpScrolled can maintain momentum remains to be seen, but its early success highlights a broader shift: users want technology that serves communities, not just corporations.