Speaking at Web Summit Qatar, founder Issam Hijazi announced that his social network, UpScrolled, has rapidly grown its user base to over 2.5 million globally. The platform, which is backed by the Tech for Palestine incubator, has gained significant traction by positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream social media platforms.
Explosive Growth Post-TikTok Shakeup
UpScrolled’s growth has been exponential, particularly following the recent ownership changes at TikTok in the U.S. which prompted many users to explore new platforms. Hijazi detailed the rapid scaling of the user base since its launch six months ago.
“We launched about six months ago, and we grew to about 150,000 up until early January. And as of the last few days, we reached over one million users globally. Now, starting today, we surpassed two-and-a-half million users globally,” Hijazi stated.
A Stance on Free Speech and Big Tech Ethics
During his address, Hijazi, a Palestinian-Australian app developer, launched a sharp critique of major technology companies. He accused them of unethical practices, including selling user data for profit and suppressing pro-Palestinian content through selective censorship and shadowbanning.
“They don’t care about selling your data to someone else if that means profit for them. And they don’t care about your mental health, as in they will design something just to keep you addicted to using that platform as long as it’s profitable for them,” he said.
UpScrolled aims to be a blend of Instagram and X, marketing itself as a platform inclusive of all voices, where content is not algorithmically suppressed.
Navigating Content Moderation Challenges
The platform’s commitment to minimal censorship has led to user complaints about hosting explicit content. Hijazi acknowledged the challenge, clarifying that while UpScrolled will avoid amplification algorithms, it is developing robust community guidelines to comply with laws in different regions. He added that the company is assembling a team of experts and incorporating user feedback to refine its moderation policies.
While no funding has been publicly announced, Hijazi confirmed that the social network has been attracting significant investor interest.
About UpScrolled
UpScrolled is a social network launched in June 2025 by Recursive Methods Pty Ltd. Founded by Palestinian-Australian developer Issam Hijazi, the platform combines features from Instagram and X. It positions itself as a champion for free expression, aiming to provide an environment free from selective censorship and shadowbanning. UpScrolled is notably backed by the Tech for Palestine incubator.
Source: TechCrunch
