New Social App UpScrolled Surges Amid TikTok Exodus

In the wake of TikTok's U.S. ownership change finalized last Thursday, users are increasingly seeking alternative social media platforms, with UpScrolled experiencing a significant surge in popularity. The app, which ranks highly in Apple's App Store, blends familiar features from platforms like Instagram and X, allowing users to share photos, videos, and text posts, discover content, and send direct messages.

Founded last year by Issam Hijazi, UpScrolled aims to provide a space for free expression, free from hidden algorithms and outside agendas. The app's creators emphasize their commitment to building a platform that empowers users, offering transparency and accountability. This ethos appears to resonate with users concerned about TikTok's recent developments.

UpScrolled saw approximately 41,000 downloads between last Thursday and Saturday, a period accounting for nearly one-third of its lifetime installs. This represents a 2,850% increase in daily downloads since the TikTok deal, with total downloads reaching 140,000, including 75,000 from the U.S.

The influx of users comes amidst growing concerns among some TikTok users regarding potential political censorship and expanded data tracking. Issues such as limited search results for protest-related content and a new privacy policy allowing GPS tracking have prompted calls for alternative platforms, with UpScrolled emerging as a favored choice due to its promise of impartiality and fair content visibility.