Solo Founder’s Social Network Hits 5 Million Users
▼ Summary
– UpScrolled is a social media platform similar to Instagram or TikTok, allowing users to share photos, videos, and follow accounts.
– It differentiates itself by using a chronological feed, not sharing user data with marketers, and vowing never to covertly suppress content within its guidelines.
– Founder Issam Hijazi created it partly in response to allegations that other platforms censor pro-Palestinian content, and he personally prevented selecting Israel as a location.
– The platform grew rapidly to over 5 million users, leading Hijazi to quickly scale his team, especially for content moderation.
– UpScrolled now faces criticism from groups like the Anti-Defamation League for inadequately addressing antisemitic and extremist content.
While many social platforms feel interchangeable, UpScrolled has carved out a distinct space by rejecting core Big Tech practices. Founded by Issam Hijazi, the network prioritizes a chronological feed and a firm commitment against selling user data. Its creation was a direct response to perceptions of censorship, particularly around pro-Palestinian content, on other major sites. Hijazi’s platform explicitly promises never to shadow-ban posts that adhere to its community standards, a principle rooted in his personal convictions.
Hijazi’s stance is openly ideological, a rarity in the tech industry. He confirmed personally removing Israel as a selectable location on user profiles. This approach has fueled remarkable growth. After launching just over a year ago, UpScrolled surged to 2.5 million users amid debates about TikTok’s ownership. Today, it boasts over 5 million users, forcing the solo founder to rapidly expand his team, especially for content moderation. This scaling comes as groups like the Anti-Defamation League criticize the platform for not adequately combating antisemitic and extremist content.
In a recent interview, Hijazi discussed these challenges and his journey from established tech corporations to founding a controversial startup.
Your career began at major firms like IBM and Oracle. How did that experience shape your view of the industry?
I have been in technology for nearly eighteen years, and started coding at age twelve. Working for those prominent companies is often seen as a dream career path. They offer incredible learning opportunities with advanced technologies. However, over time, you begin to understand their operational mechanics. I reached a point about three years ago where I questioned if it was the right environment for me.
I came to believe these corporations are complicit in global injustices. For example, by providing technology, infrastructure, and expertise to nations like Israel, they enable surveillance and other actions tied to conflicts such as the situation in Gaza. I felt personally complicit simply by being an employee, which motivated my decision to leave and build something new.
(Source: Wired)
