Why Users Are Leaving TikTok for UpScrolled After the U.S. Ownership Shake-Up

Introduction

The social media landscape is shifting fast and TikTok is at the center of the storm. A new short-form video platform, UpScrolled, is climbing the App Store charts as users abandon TikTok amid growing allegations of political censorship following its U.S. ownership change.

As concerns over content moderation, free speech, and political influence grow, many creators and activists are looking for platforms they believe better protect their voices.

UpScrolled Ranks Above TikTok on the App Store

UpScrolled, a short-form social media app supporting videos, editing tools, and text posts, surged to No. 9 among free apps on Apple’s App Store, ranking one spot above TikTok. It also reached No. 2 in the social networking category, signaling a rapid influx of new users.

The sudden popularity caused technical issues. In an Instagram post, UpScrolled admitted its servers crashed due to overwhelming demand, thanking users and positioning itself as “an alternative to platforms that stopped listening.”

Why Are Users Leaving TikTok?

The migration follows TikTok’s recent decision to spin off its U.S. operations into a new entity to comply with a 2024 federal law requiring separation from ByteDance. The new ownership group includes Oracle, co-founded by Trump ally Larry Ellison, along with MGX and Silver Lake.

User complaints began soon after the takeover that TikTok censored post criticizing Donald Trump and U.S. immigration policy. Videos were throttled, delayed, or removed, while certain keywords—such as “Epstein”—were reportedly blocked.

TikTok attributed posting delays to a power outage at a U.S. data center, but skepticism remains high. Public figures including Sen. Chris Murphy, Billie Eilish, and Finneas O’Connell have accused the platform of censorship, with Murphy calling it a “threat to democracy.”

What Is UpScrolled?

Launched in June, UpScrolled was founded by Issam Hijazi, a former IBM and Oracle employee. Hijazi says the idea emerged in late 2023 after noticing that meaningful stories were being buried while misinformation spread across major platforms.

UpScrolled markets itself as a “no censorship, no shadowban” platform, promising:

• No hidden throttling

• No pay-to-play favoritism

• No political or commercial agendas

The platform states it only restricts content that violates community guidelines, including illegal activity, hate speech, bullying, or harassment.

How the UpScrolled Algorithm Works

Unlike algorithm-heavy platforms, UpScrolled emphasizes transparency:

• Following Feed: Chronological posts with no manipulation

• Discover Feed: Ranked by likes, comments, and reshares, with light time decay and randomness to give all creators visibility

According to the company, every post has a fair chance to be seen.

Creators and Activists Speak Out

For many users, the TikTok shift feels personal. Activist Jamira Burley described TikTok as a “trap door” where safety and visibility are no longer guaranteed.

“When tech giants, wealthy investors, and political pressure start making the rules,” Burley wrote, “you already know whose voices are silenced first.”

She warned that marginalized communities Black, queer, disabled, poor, and creative voices are most at risk under the new policies. Her message reflects a broader sentiment among users leaving TikTok: community matters more than clout.

Is This the Beginning of a TikTok Exodus?

In 2025, users held mock funerals for TikTok during its near-ban in the U.S. Now, history appears to be repeating itself—this time driven by ownership concerns and trust issues rather than access alone.

UpScrolled’s rapid rise suggests a growing appetite for slower, more intentional social platforms that prioritize fairness and transparency. Whether it can sustain momentum remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: users are actively searching for alternatives.

As the debate over free speech, tech power, and political influence intensifies, platforms like UpScrolled are stepping into the spotlight offering not just another app, but a different vision of social media itself.