Is UpScrolled replacing TikTok?

Key Concepts

• TikTok US Operations Takeover: Acquisition of US operations by a group of investors including Oracle.
• App Uninstalls: Significant increase in TikTok uninstalls following the takeover.
• Censorship & Glitches: User reports of content censorship and technical issues on TikTok.
• UpScroll: Emerging alternative social media app gaining popularity.
• Algorithmic vs. Chronological Feed: UpScroll’s emphasis on less algorithmic content delivery.

TikTok User Exodus & Technical Issues

Following the recent takeover of TikTok’s US operations by a consortium of investors, notably including Oracle, a substantial increase in app uninstalls has been observed. Data from Censor Tower, as reported by CNBC, indicates a jump of approximately 150% in uninstalls within a five-day period. This surge correlates with user reports detailing various issues experienced within the TikTok platform. These issues include alleged censorship of specific terms – with “Epstein” specifically cited as a blocked word – alongside technical glitches manifesting as extremely low view counts, significantly slowed upload speeds, and general posting errors.

TikTok’s official explanation attributes these problems to a temporary outage at one of its data centers. However, the timing of these issues, coinciding directly with the operational shift, has fueled user skepticism and contributed to the mass exodus. Despite these issues, TikTok still maintains a significant user base in the US, currently estimated at around 115 million users.

The Rise of UpScroll

The decline in TikTok usage is coinciding with a rapid increase in the adoption of a new social media application called UpScroll. The app has quickly ascended to prominent positions within Apple’s App Store rankings. As of the reporting period, UpScroll has achieved approximately 400,000 downloads within the United States and 700,000 downloads globally. A significant portion – roughly 85% – of these downloads occurred after the aforementioned takeover of TikTok’s US operations.

UpScroll’s Features & Philosophy

UpScroll differentiates itself from TikTok through its content format and approach to content delivery. Unlike TikTok’s primarily short-form video focus, UpScroll integrates short videos, photographs, and text-based posts into a single feed. Crucially, UpScroll prioritizes a less algorithmically-driven experience, aiming for freer sharing and a reduced emphasis on content moderation. This contrasts sharply with TikTok’s heavily curated “For You” page, which relies extensively on algorithmic recommendations.

Founding & Background

UpScroll was founded in June 2025 by Isam Hijazi, described as a Palestinian Jordanian Australian technologist. This background provides context for the app’s stated commitment to open expression and reduced censorship, potentially appealing to users concerned about content control on platforms like TikTok.

Logical Connections & Data Synthesis

The data clearly demonstrates a direct correlation between the change in TikTok’s US operational control and a significant user response. The 150% increase in uninstalls, coupled with reports of technical issues, suggests a loss of user trust. This loss of trust is being capitalized upon by UpScroll, which is experiencing exponential growth, directly benefiting from the dissatisfaction with TikTok. The app’s design philosophy, emphasizing less algorithmic control and freer expression, appears to be a key driver of its appeal.

Conclusion

The situation highlights the sensitivity surrounding data privacy, content moderation, and algorithmic control within the social media landscape. The events surrounding TikTok’s US operations and the subsequent rise of UpScroll demonstrate a clear user demand for platforms that prioritize transparency and user agency. The future success of UpScroll will likely depend on its ability to maintain its commitment to these principles while scaling its infrastructure and user base.