A new social media platform has arrived, and it sure is bringing in users. UpScrolled is an independent social media platform built around chronological feeds, visible moderation rules and data privacy. Users see posts in the order they are shared, without hidden ranking systems deciding what gains reach. The company says every post has a fair chance to be seen and that no content is quietly suppressed. This design sits at the heart of its pitch to users who feel worn down by opaque feeds elsewhere.
The platform says it does not monetise user data and does not sell attention through paid reach. UpScrolled describes itself as unfiltered by design, with rules that are published and applied evenly. It also says it will never shadowban users or content, and that political or commercial agendas do not shape visibility.
Issam Hijazi, founder and chief executive of UpScrolled, says the product was built in response to frustration with existing platforms. “It’s intended to be a space where your data is not monetised, where solidarity is not shadowbanned, and where your voice is not filtered by billion-dollar interests,” he said. Hijazi adds that the company exists to put fairness back into social media, with no pay to play advantages and no hidden throttling.
UpScrolled is headquartered in Australia, with servers based in Ireland. It is available on iOS, Android and the web. The company says its technical choices and location support its privacy stance and help users understand where their information sits.
Why Did So Many People Join In Such A Short Time?
UpScrolled’s user numbers went from about 40,000 to more than 1 million in a short period, according to the company. App Store data cited by UpScrolled shows it reached the number one free app in the US, both overall and in social networking. It overtook platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Threads, WhatsApp and others during that period.
The timing mattered. On Thursday two weeks ago, TikTok confirmed details of its US operating deal, renewing debate about platform control, moderation and data access. In the 72 hours that followed, more than 500,000 new users joined UpScrolled, the company says. Daily downloads ran at 29x the earlier level during that window.
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That surge put pressure on the service and Hijazi said servers failed twice over one weekend as demand rose faster than expected. Infrastructure capacity went up by 400% within 24 hours, according to the company. “We’re answering a global call. We are seeing how many people want and need an alternative social media. Our servers crashed over the weekend because of the surge in users. We’re back up and running and looking forward to continuing to build the platform users are seeking, a platform built on transparency and trust, with privacy in mind,” he said.
Media coverage added momentum. TechCrunch, The Verge and Forbes all reported on the app’s rise up the App Store charts, based on its download growth after the TikTok news. High visibility social accounts also encouraged followers to move across, feeding a fast loop of new sign ups.
What Does UpScrolled Stand For And What Is To Come?
UpScrolled says it was built after its founder watched posts about global events disappear from feeds in late 2023, while misleading content travelled further. Hijazi, a technologist who has worked at IBM, Oracle and Hitachi, decided to build a platform that worked differently. The company says communities joined early to support that direction and help test the product.
The platform sets out a firm stance on moderation and responsibility. It says it will always be impartial to political agendas and conflicts, and that its ranking systems are explainable. “We’re building infrastructure for digital sovereignty, not a mega exit,” Hijazi said when asked about the company’s direction. He confirmed UpScrolled will not take venture capital tied to user growth targets or engagement optimisation.
UpScrolled says influence must be earned through genuine connection rather than bought through spend or manipulation. Its leadership says that the past few weeks show how quickly people will move when trust fades elsewhere, and how fast an alternative can grow when the offer is understood.
