New Social App UpScrolled Surges After TikTok US Ownership Shift

UpScrolled, a social media application developed by Issam Hijazi, has achieved the top position in US app downloads, capitalizing on user dissatisfaction following the recent transfer of control over TikTok’s domestic operations to US-backed entities.The application’s ascent to number one in the Apple App Store’s “social networking” category occurred shortly after Oracle owner Larry Ellison acquired a significant stake in the newly structured US version of TikTok, fueling widespread apprehension regarding content moderation, particularly concerning pro-Palestine narratives.Market Reaction and Platform FeaturesFounded only a year ago, UpScrolled combines features reminiscent of X and Instagram, allowing for photo, text, and short-form video posts, according to reports from aljazeera.com. Initial user adoption has heavily favored text and photo content, with Palestine emerging as the most popular topic on its “Discover Page.”The surge in popularity, which saw the platform briefly overwhelm its servers over the weekend, prompted founder Hijazi to address stability concerns directly to the growing user base.“Crazy load on our servers. So exciting! Sorry about the errors and glitches, we are increasing our capacity to handle the load,” Hijazi posted on the platform on Sunday.UpScrolled explicitly markets itself on “transparent tech,” contrasting with established platforms accused of algorithmic manipulation. Hijazi, who previously worked at Big Tech firms including Oracle, stated his motivation stemmed from witnessing perceived censorship on major platforms.UpScrolled maintains an entirely chronological feed, a feature absent from many competing applications.Moderation focuses strictly on illegal content, avoiding restrictions based on political expression.The app is backed by Tech for Palestine, an advocacy project funding relevant technological initiatives.Industry tracking firm Sensor Tower indicated that approximately 85% of UpScrolled’s US downloads occurred between January 21 and 27, directly correlating with the finalization of the TikTok ownership transition. This migration highlights a growing geopolitical sensitivity influencing consumer technology choices in key Western markets.The broader implication involves the increasing fragmentation of the global social media market, driven by geopolitical tensions and concerns over data sovereignty and content control. Attention now turns to whether UpScrolled can maintain technical stability and user retention as established competitors react to this sudden challenge.