According to The Verge, the takeover of TikTok’s US operations by Oracle and a group of investors last week has triggered a migration of users to an alternative social platform called UpScrolled. The app, founded in 2025 by Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian technologist Issam Hijazi, is currently ranked 12th in Apple’s App Store but is struggling with server capacity due to a sudden influx of new traffic. High-profile users like journalist Taylor Lorenz have announced they are switching, citing censorship concerns following the TikTok deal. Compounding the issue, US TikTok users experienced app problems post-takeover, which TikTok blamed on a data center power outage. UpScrolled’s stated mission is to allow free expression while ensuring every post has a fair chance to be seen, promising impartiality and no shadowbanning.
The Great Platform Hop, Again
Here’s the thing: we’ve seen this movie before, haven’t we? Every time a major social network stumbles—whether it’s a controversial policy change, an acquisition, or a potential ban—a segment of its user base declares it’s leaving for greener pastures. Remember the rush to RedNote after last year’s TikTok ban scare? Or the waves of people flocking to Bluesky and Mastodon from X? It’s basically a ritual at this point. This latest scramble to UpScrolled is just the newest chapter. The platform’s team even admitted on Bluesky that users “showed up so fast our servers tapped out.” So much for a smooth landing.
Promises vs. Practicalities
UpScrolled’s pitch is incredibly seductive to anyone feeling jaded by algorithmic manipulation and opaque moderation. Its website vows to remain “impartial,” not shadowban, and “uphold social responsibility.” That’s a powerful combo in an era of deep platform distrust. But let’s be real. Those are massive, complex promises. Every social network starts with noble ideals about free expression and fairness. The real test comes at scale, when you have to actually manage the inevitable spam, harassment, and bad-faith actors that flood any popular online space. Can UpScrolled’s infrastructure and moderation philosophy hold up? Climbing to 12th in the App Store is one thing. Building a sustainable, healthy community is a whole other beast.
A Temporary Shelter or a New Home?
So what’s the endgame for these migrating users? For many, jumping to a new app like UpScrolled is a protest vote—a way to express dissatisfaction with the perceived censorship or instability of their old platform. It’s a symbolic move. But will they stay? That depends entirely on whether their friends and favorite creators move too, and if the new app can quickly match the core user experience they’re used to. The interface, described as a mix of Instagram and X, might help. But if the server issues persist and the feed feels empty, the allure will fade fast. These moments create an opening, but they rarely topple giants overnight. The real work for UpScrolled starts now, converting panic-driven sign-ups into a dedicated, active community.
