A newly launched social media platform, UpScrolled, is rapidly gaining attention as users grow uneasy over TikTok’s changing ownership and increasing concerns about censorship.
The app has reported a sharp rise in new sign-ups over the past week. Developers claim that more than one million users joined in just seven days. UpScrolled also appeared among the top free downloads in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The surge follows renewed debate around TikTok’s governance after reports of changes in its US operations. Many users expressed fears about tighter content control, moderation policies, and political influence. As a result, several began deleting existing apps and exploring alternatives.
Users migrating to UpScrolled say the platform offers higher engagement compared to larger social networks. Some reported receiving more likes and comments despite having far fewer followers. Screenshots shared online show posts gaining faster visibility and interaction.
Several content creators noted that videos uploaded to TikTok remained under review for hours, while the same material posted on UpScrolled received hundreds of likes within minutes. This difference has fueled claims that major platforms suppress reach through algorithms.
UpScrolled was created by Australian-Palestinian developer Issam Hijazi. The idea emerged in late 2023 after he noticed that posts related to Gaza were frequently disappearing from mainstream feeds. He believed stories were being hidden through shadowbanning and algorithmic filtering.
The app officially launched in June 2025 with support from the Tech for Palestine incubator. It allows users to share photos, videos, and text posts, while promoting itself as politically neutral.
According to app analytics, downloads jumped nearly 30 times above average in recent days. The growth has placed pressure on servers, with developers acknowledging temporary performance issues due to the rapid influx.
UpScrolled says its content system works differently from competitors. The “following” feed shows posts in strict chronological order. The “discover” section ranks content based on likes, comments, and shares, with limited randomness and time-based decline.
The platform insists it does not shadowban content. It says posts are removed only if they violate community rules or legal standards. These include hate speech, harassment, illegal activity, explicit material, and copyright violations.
Privacy is another key selling point. The company claims it does not sell user data or share information with third parties for profiling or targeted advertising.
UpScrolled is currently run by an Australia-based company and is funded privately by its founder and a small group of individual backers. It says there is no government or corporate ownership at present.
While the app remains free, the company has acknowledged the need for future revenue. Plans include limited advertising without personal data tracking and creator monetisation tools such as payouts and branded collaborations.
