A little-known Australian social media application, UpScrolled, is experiencing a surge in users, particularly in the United States, fueled by discontent surrounding changes at TikTok and concerns over data privacy. The shift comes after TikTok confirmed a report of a $14 billion agreement to create a U.S.-based subsidiary, intended to address national security concerns and potentially avert a ban.
The impetus for users seeking alternatives to TikTok stems from allegations of censorship and algorithmic manipulation. Users have reported that content critical of U.S. Government policies, specifically relating to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and protests following the death of a citizen at the hands of police, has been suppressed or had its reach limited. Singer Billie Eilish publicly voiced concerns on Instagram, stating that “TikTok is silencing people,” citing a video from her brother, Finneas O’Connell, questioning the justification for the death in question.
TikTok attributed the reduced visibility of some content to a disruption at its data center, a claim that failed to quell the growing unease among its user base. Further exacerbating these concerns is the recent update to TikTok’s privacy policy, which now permits the tracking of user GPS coordinates, raising additional questions about data handling practices.
Amidst this backdrop, UpScrolled is positioning itself as a platform prioritizing freedom of expression and algorithmic transparency. Founded by Issam Hijazi, a Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian, the application allows users to share photos, videos, and text-based posts without algorithmic intervention, according to the company. UpScrolled’s website states that social media has moved away from genuine connection, favoring strategies focused on attracting clicks.
The platform reportedly experienced a significant increase in downloads between and , with approximately 41,000 downloads – representing nearly a third of its total accumulated downloads. By , UpScrolled had reached 400,000 downloads in the United States and 700,000 globally.
“Our servers colapsed. Frustrating? Yes. Exciting? Also. We’re a small team building what big tech stopped doing,” UpScrolled posted on its X account, highlighting the challenges of scaling to meet the sudden demand.
The proposed restructuring of TikTok, involving Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, has also drawn scrutiny. Ellison, known for his connections to prominent figures including U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Elon Musk, will oversee TikTok’s algorithm in the U.S. Through TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. This arrangement has fueled skepticism among users concerned about potential political influence over the platform’s content moderation and algorithmic recommendations.
UpScrolled is not the only alternative social network benefiting from the TikTok backlash. Skylight, a platform built on open-source technology, reported surpassing 380,000 registrations following the internal changes at TikTok. This suggests a growing appetite among users for social media platforms that prioritize transparency, user control, and freedom from perceived censorship.
UpScrolled’s core promise centers on a departure from the algorithmic curation prevalent on platforms like TikTok. The company asserts that its rules are applied consistently and without bias, and that it does not promote political or commercial agendas. “Influence comes with responsibility,” the company states on its website.
