UpScrolled surges as TikTok users seek alternatives after U.S. ownership change.
The app hit top App Store rankings amid censorship and privacy fears.
Its Palestinian founder promises transparent algorithms and free expression.
What is UpScrolled?
UpScrolled is a short-form video platform launched in June 2025 by Palestinian-Australian creator Issam Hijazi, who has tech experience at IBM and Oracle. The app supports videos, text posts, and editing tools with a simplified feed that minimizes algorithmic manipulation. It markets itself as neutral, prioritizing content visibility without political or commercial bias while banning hate speech and illegal content.
Why It’s Gaining Popularity Now
TikTok completed its U.S. operations restructuring on January 22, 2026, forming TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC with American investors like Oracle holding majority control (ByteDance retains 19.9%). Users fear pro-Palestinian content suppression, algorithm changes favoring U.S. interests, and stricter privacy policies. UpScrolled climbed to #1 free app on U.S. App Store, surpassing ChatGPT and Threads, with similar rises in UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy.
Key Growth Milestones
| Date | Users | App Store Rank (U.S.) | Daily Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Jan 23, 2026 | 150K | Outside Top 50 | 460 |
| Jan 25, 2026 | ~500K | #4 Free App | 14K avg |
| Jan 29, 2026 | 1M+ | #1 Free App | 125k |
| Feb 1, 2026 | 2.5M | Top 2 Social | 500k |
Servers crashed from demand spikes, with founder Hijazi posting apologies and capacity upgrades.
User Migration Drivers
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Censorship fears: U.S. lawmakers previously criticized TikTok for pro-Palestinian content; new owners promise algorithm retraining.
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Privacy concerns: Updated TikTok policy post-acquisition raised data handling questions.
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Technical issues: TikTok outage followed ownership announcement.
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Nostalgia: UpScrolled resembles “early TikTok” with less curation and no shadowbanning claims.
Controversies and Criticisms
Some outlets label UpScrolled a “pro-Palestine haven” attracting activists, while others call it an “antisemitic app” due to founder’s background and content focus. The platform maintains neutrality but gained traction amid Israel-Palestine debates on social media.
Platform Features Comparison
| Feature | UpScrolled | TikTok (Post-US) |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithm | Minimal intervention | Retrained U.S. focus |
| Content Moderation | Community standards | U.S.-overseen |
| Data Storage | Independent | Oracle-managed |
| Shadowbanning | Claims none | User complaints |
| Ownership | Independent founder | U.S. joint venture |
Note: You can download any APK from Android APK Download.
Technical Challenges
Rapid growth overwhelmed signup systems and servers. Founder acknowledged glitches on January 25, promising stability within 24 hours. App remains free with no monetization details disclosed yet.
Broader Context
UpScrolled’s rise echoes past migrations: X users to Bluesky after Musk acquisition (2022), TikTok users to Rednote amid 2024 ban fears. Analysts question sustainability but note current momentum mirrors early TikTok growth patterns.
Future Outlook
Platform claims 2.5M users as of February 1. Monetization strategy unclear. Continued TikTok algorithm changes could sustain migration, though server scaling and content moderation remain challenges during hypergrowth.
