cross-posted from: https://szmer.info/post/12048248
cross-posted from: https://szmer.info/post/12048247
Palestinian-founded UpScrolled surges to No. 2 on Apple App Store
Launched in June 2025 by Issam Hijazi, UpScrolled has surged to rank second in the App Store’s social networking category, attracting users fleeing mainstream platforms—particularly following the TikTok US spin-off—due to its promise of transparent algorithms and impartial moderation. The platform distinguishes itself by explicitly rejecting shadowbans and data sales, instead offering chronological feeds and human-led moderation to support "authentic expression" and minority voices, resulting in a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 user rating. UpScrolled, a relatively new social media application, has experienced a dramatic rise in popularity on Apple's App Store.
The app currently ranks second in the social networking category on Apple's App Store, after a significant number of downloads in recent days.
This surge has propelled it into the upper echelons of free apps overall, outranking established platforms.
Launched in June 2025 by Recursive Methods Pty Ltd, UpScrolled positions itself as an alternative to mainstream social networks, particularly after controversies regarding content on Palestine and Gaza on other social media platforms.
The platform emphasizes authentic expression with the tagline "Your voice, amplified!" It enables users to share photos, post short- or long-form videos with advanced editing tools, compose text updates, engage in real-time chats, view daily stories, follow accounts, and explore regional trending topics.
The app's founder, Issam Hijazi, a Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian technologist with prior experience at IBM and Oracle, established UpScrolled and described the service as a space for transparent algorithms, free speech, and user empowerment, free from corporate agendas or profit-driven suppression.
The recent popularity spike coincides with developments surrounding TikTok in the United States. Following the spin-off of TikTok's US operations into a new entity involving Oracle and other investors, users have reported allegations of content suppression, particularly videos critical of political figures or immigration policies.
These claims have driven some users to seek alternatives promising impartial moderation.
UpScrolled markets itself as a censorship-free environment, featuring chronological feeds for followed accounts, engagement-based discovery with minimal manipulation, and human-led moderation limited to violations such as hate speech or illegal content.
The platform explicitly rejects shadowbans, data sales, and addictive design practices.
User reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with the iOS version holding a 4.9 out of 5 rating based on hundreds of reviews.
The app's appeal appears particularly strong among communities seeking unfiltered discourse, including those focused on global events and minority voices.
