| UpScrolled | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | UpScrolled |
| Initial release | June 2025 |
| Operating system | Android, iOS |
| Type | Social media |
| Website | upscrolled |
| UpScrolled | |
| Users | Over 1 million (as of 29 January 2026)[1] |
UpScrolled is an Australian social media platform for microblogging and short-form online video sharing that was launched in June 2025 by Recursive Methods Pty Ltd. It was founded by Issam Hijazi.
History
UpScrolled was launched in June 2025 by Recursive Methods Pty Ltd.[2][3] It was founded by Issam Hijazi, a Palestinian-Australian app developer.[3][4] UpScrolled is backed by the Tech for Palestine incubator.[5]
In January 2026, UpScrolled saw increased attention and number of downloads after the acquisition of TikTok by a group of pro-Donald Trump US investors, including Larry Ellison, which led to calls to boycott TikTok and migrate to other apps.[6][4] TikTok was alleged to be suppressing Palestine content, as well as news surrounding the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on the platform.[5] UpScrolled subsequently climbed to the top 10 of Apple's App Store list of free apps.[6] The app saw a reported 2,850% increase in downloads between 22 and 24 January 2026.[4] As of 27 January 2026, UpScrolled "had been downloaded about 400,000 times in the US and 700,000 globally since launching in June 2025".[7] The app became the most downloaded app in the Apple App store on 29 January 2026, following allegations that TikTok was suppressing videos and content opposed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under its new ownership.[8][3]
Founder
Hijazi was born in Jordan,[9] and worked for IBM and Oracle prior to starting UpScrolled.[3][4] Hijazi lives in Sydney.[10] He lost 60 family members during the Gaza war.[9]
Hijazi told Rest of World that he launched UpScrolled in response to Israel's genocide in Gaza which followed the October 7 attacks. He said, "I couldn't take it anymore. I lost family members in Gaza, and I didn't want to be complicit. So I was like, I'm done with this, I want to feel useful. I found this gap in the market, with a lot of people asking why there is no alternative to the Big Tech platforms for their content, which was getting censored."[5] Hijazi also alleges that social media accounts that were posting pro-Palestinian content were getting shadow banned on larger platforms, and alleges that even his account was not exempt from being targeted by censors.[9] Hijazi has further elaborated on the importance of social media independence to further the Palestinian cause.[9]
In January 2026, Web Summit Qatar announced that Hijazi would be an opening night speaker. Following the announcement, there was a surge in ticket sales for the summit.[11]
Features
UpScrolled's algorithm allows users to discover posts based on likes, comments, and shares with time decay and some randomness, all chronologically, with "no manipulation" according to the app's website.[3] UpScrolled has an interface resembling a mix of Instagram and Twitter, allowing users to post and view text posts, photos, and videos. It also lets users send private messages to each other.[12] The app is currently available for iOS and Android devices, with plans to upscale.[4]
UpScrolled says that it is against censorship and shadow banning, and describes itself as "belong[ing] to the people who use it — not to hidden algorithms or outside agendas".[10][5] Hijazi said, "The other platforms claim to be free speech platforms. But when it comes to anything on Palestine, that's a different story."[5] UpScrolled states that it "does not tolerate hate speech, propaganda, or bad-faith behaviour, but it also refuses to silence voices quietly or without explanation".[9]
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) reported that UpScrolled was observed to be "flooded" with antisemitic and anti-Israel content, including Holocaust denial and accusations that Israel carried out the 9/11 attacks.[9] In a statement, UpScrolled said, "Our content moderation hasn't been able to keep up with the massive rise of users this week. We're working with digital rights experts to grow our Trust & Safety team and are beefing up our content moderation to prevent this. We apologise to all impacted users, thank you for being part of Upscrolled."[9]
Reception
In January 2026, the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) praised UpScrolled for "pledging to protect the free flow of ideas on its platform, including both support for and opposition to the Israeli government's human rights abuses."[13] Guy Christensen, a pro-Palestinian social media celebrity, has encouraged his audience to download UpScrolled. Christensen characterized UpScrolled as having "no censorship, no ownership by billionaires who put their interests and biases onto you to control you".[9]
See also
References
- ^ "@UpScrolled post on UpScrolled".
- ^ "Palestinian-founded UpScrolled surges to No. 2 on Apple App Store". Roya News. 26 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Murray, Conor (29 January 2026). "UpScrolled Hits No. 1 On App Store After Disgruntled TikTok Users Flock To New App". Forbes. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Malik, Aisha (26 January 2026). "Social network UpScrolled sees surge in downloads following TikTok's US takeover". TechCrunch. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Chandran, Rina (28 January 2026). "Meet UpScrolled, the anti-censorship TikTok alternative". Rest of World. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
Since the deal was finalized, #TikTokCensorship has been trending on other platforms, with users claiming that TikTok is suppressing or delaying videos about Palestine, as well as the fatal shooting in Minneapolis of a man by federal immigration officers.
- ^ a b Cuthbertson, Anthony (27 January 2026). "TikTok rivals Skylight and UpScrolled see surge in downloads amid Trump backlash". The Independent. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Bradley, Sydney (28 January 2026). "What to know about UpScrolled, the app that's surging during TikTok's chaos". Business Insider. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "What's UpScrolled, the app gaining popularity after TikTok's US takeover?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gilson, Grace (29 January 2026). "TikTok deal fuels rise of UpScrolled, whose founder conceived it as a haven for Palestinian activism". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ^ a b Chavez, María José Gutierrez (27 January 2026). "Why TikTok Users Are Fleeing TikTok for a Hot New App Called UpScrolled". Inc. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Web Summit Qatar sells out after Upscrolled founder announced as speaker". The Peninsula. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ Roth, Emma (26 January 2026). "TikTokers are heading to UpScrolled following US takeover". The Verge. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "CAIR Commends UpScrolled for Protecting Free Speech, Condemns TikTok's 'Censorship Spree' Under Pro-Israel Owners". Council on American–Islamic Relations. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
