Issam Hijazi launched a social network all by himself. Less than a year later, his platform UpScrolled boasts over five million users. It's a remarkable feat, especially given the crowded world of social media giants.
Breaking the Algorithm
UpScrolled stands out from typical social media apps. It offers features familiar to anyone who has scrolled through Instagram or TikTok — sharing photos, short videos, commenting, and following accounts. But UpScrolled takes a different route. Instead of an algorithm deciding what pops up on your feed, it sticks to an old-school, chronological timeline. No tricks, no hidden nudges to keep you glued. These days, most platforms tweak content to keep you scrolling longer, so this approach is unusual.
Hijazi, who's of Palestinian descent, built UpScrolled partly as a response to concerns about censorship on mainstream platforms. Users had accused some social networks of shadow-banning or censoring pro-Palestinian posts. UpScrolled explicitly promises not to suppress content covertly, as long as it fits within its community guidelines. The platform even took a bold step by blocking the option for users to select Israel as a location—a move that’s unusual, even controversial, in Silicon Valley circles.
One Man’s Mission
Interestingly, Hijazi built UpScrolled all by himself. With a background spanning 17 years in tech, including stints at IBM, Oracle, and Hitachi, he’s no stranger to the software world. But building a social network solo? That’s next-level ambition. At launch, he was the platform’s only employee, juggling everything from coding to user support.
His years in tech influenced how he shaped UpScrolled. He’s seen how big tech giants operate behind the scenes and wanted to do things differently. “I personally ensured UpScrolled users couldn’t select Israel as a location,” he told Wired in an interview, underscoring how his personal convictions influence the platform’s design and policies. It’s not just a tech project but a platform with a clear ideological stance. That’s rare, especially in an industry that usually shies away from overt politics.
Users reacted quickly. Following concerns about TikTok’s US operations and its deal to establish an American-controlled version of the company, UpScrolled attracted a wave of users seeking alternatives to Big Tech. By February—only eight months after launch—the platform had already gathered 2.5 million users. Today, it has doubled that number.
Growing Pains and Controversies
Growing fast has caused some problems. UpScrolled has had to scale its team quickly, especially around content moderation. That’s a tough nut to crack for any social media network, more so when the platform’s core promise is to avoid censoring content covertly. The company’s stance has drawn criticism, notably from groups like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which claim UpScrolled isn’t doing enough to tackle antisemitic and extremist material.
Hijazi acknowledges the difficulties. He’s expanding his team to keep up with moderation demands. But the tension between allowing free speech and policing harmful content is tricky. And it’s made harder when the platform’s ideology might clash with certain watchdog groups. The ADL’s concerns highlight a broader debate about how social media platforms should manage content without veering into censorship or allowing hate speech to flourish.
What Sets UpScrolled Apart?
A big part of UpScrolled’s appeal is its strong privacy stance. Unlike many social networks, it pledges never to share user data with marketers or commercial enterprises. That’s a selling point for users tired of their online lives being mined for advertising dollars. In a world where data breaches and privacy scandals are common, this promise stands out.
Balancing growth with safety and privacy will be tough. As UpScrolled attracts millions, it faces a choice: scale up moderation and potentially restrict some content, or risk becoming a haven for problematic posts. Hijazi seems aware of this tightrope, making moves to beef up his team and infrastructure.
The Wider Context of Social Media Alternatives
UpScrolled’s growth fits into a bigger movement. Users are increasingly wary of mainstream platforms’ algorithms, data practices, and content policies. Alternatives promising chronological feeds and stronger privacy have been gaining traction. But few have jumped from zero to millions of users so quickly, especially with just one founder at the helm.
Hijazi’s story is similar to past successes, but today’s social media scene is way more crowded. It shows that there’s still appetite for platforms that break the mould and offer something different from the usual Big Tech giants.
Still, UpScrolled faces some tough challenges ahead. UpScrolled’s ideological stances and content policies will continue to attract scrutiny. How it navigates these issues might determine whether it remains a niche alternative or grows into a lasting player in the social media world.
Right now, UpScrolled shows that one person can still make a big impact in social media.
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UpScrolled’s rise under Issam Hijazi’s solo efforts offers a fresh chapter in social media’s story — one where privacy, ideology, and user control are front and centre. Whether it can keep growing while facing the realities of content moderation we'll have to wait and see.
This article was created with AI assistance.
