this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2026
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59
TikTokers Flock to New Palestinian Social Media Platform Following Purchase by Pro-Israel Larry Ellison (qudsnen.co)
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml to c/technology@lemmy.ml
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Washington (QNN)- TikTok users are flocking to a new platform founded by a Palestinian after Trump ally and pro-Israel Larry Ellison officially took over the app. The move follows TikTok’s announcement of a deal to create a new US entity, giving Ellison control over content policies and the power to shape an anti-Palestinian agenda.

Guy Christensen, a TikTok influencer with more than 3 million followers, wrote on X, “TikTok users are fleeing to a new upstart social media called **UpScrolled ** after Larry Ellison purchased the platform. UpScrolled is founded by a Palestinian and promises no censorship and no billionaires.”

He added, “Yesterday, it broke into the top 15 most downloaded apps.” Several activists and social media users have joined the app in recent days.

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[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 22 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Disclaimer: currently Upscrolled is a centralized platform which is only usable through an Android or IOS app and requires an account. They plan to release a browser based site in around 6 months They do have smooth video playback and no noticeable censorship so far.

[–] cypherpunks@lemmy.ml 13 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

good disclaimer. also, they aren't open source, and from the tech background of the founder who self-funded it i doubt that he plans for it to ever be. in fact, among other cringe things on Issam Hijazi's linkedin i see that he's even worked for, enough to become an expert in the proprietary technology of, (checks notes) the very same zionist billionaire (paywall bypass) who just bought TikTok 😢

Also, one their FAQs is "Where does UpScrolled operate its servers and store data? Does it use Big Tech?"... the answer to which includes:

We do rely on some large-scale cloud providers at this stage — not because it’s our ideal, but because building fully independent infrastructure takes time. We’d rather be transparent about that than claim otherwise. Over time, we plan to reduce reliance on these providers and move toward greater independence.

... but We do rely on some is as far as their attempt at transparency took them - they aren't actually saying which cloud providers they're using or for what. (given the founder's expertise i'd guess it's probably AWS and/or Oracle.)

[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

It's a very mixed bag. In 2026 I'd prefer everyone decided on a single uncensored Mastodon server and just yolo'd over there but somehow the masses are moved once again towards a centralized solution. And a rather rudimentary one too.

But at least they decided on something besides Twitter or Bluesky. Now it all depends on whether the new influx of users can organically keep going and growing, or whether there is not enough content and everyone will slowly move back to Twitter.

There is backing from TechForPalestine and other pro-Palestine collectives so I don't suspect that it's a Zionist op. Just some unfortunate tech choices. But in the end it's the users that make a platform not the tech. And one thing I do like is that there is a big download button next to media

[–] Batmorous@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Many people aren't being made aware of open source stuff. We are barely cracking surface in Linux and much less in social media. Keep letting people know and encourage them to move to them!!

[–] Unusable3151@lemmy.ml 20 points 1 week ago

An article about people leaving one capitalist entertainment platform designed to suck you dry of both time and money to go to another capitalist entertainment platform designed to suck you dry of both time and money that happens to be earlier along in the process, supported by quotes from people on a [checks notes] third capitalist entertainment platform designed to suck you dry of both time and money.

[–] ThunderComplex@lemmy.today 13 points 1 week ago (2 children)

TikTokers will flock to anything except a platform that’s actually good for them (rember red note or what it was called)

[–] eldavi@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago

rednote has been fantastic for me; what was wrong w it for you?

[–] RichardDegenne@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 week ago (4 children)

My brother in Christ, Loops is right there!

https://joinloops.org/

[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Can I watch cool videos of Palestinian resistance fighters blowing up Israeli tanks with RPG's there?

[–] RichardDegenne@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 week ago

It's federated, so even if it's against the rules of one instance, it might be okay on another!

[–] Batmorous@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

We need people getting people in and sharing it all the time in their back pocket at the ready to talk about it. Seriously feels like I am one of the few pushing Loops up. Same with other people social media: Stoat, XMPP, Session, Molly/Signal, Mastodon, Pixelfed, etc

[–] TheCynicalSaint@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 week ago

I wish more people used Loops, I think the idea of federated TikTok not bound by bullshit is a great idea!

[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 week ago

Their mobile app is an APK file instead of a play store link. I dont' see any servers besides the main Loops server so it's not decentralized at all for now.

Upscrolled even mention this in their faq, stating that the current defederated options are not in a usable and scalable state yet. And keep in mind they started development about far before now, so back then there was nothing at all.

If Loops were finished and had multiple servers going it might have been a very attractive option for the current TikTok exodus. But it's simply not done yet.

[–] Zoomboingding@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

What's Upscroll?

[–] brygphilomena@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 1 week ago

Nothin, what's up with you?

[–] Sauvandu60@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 week ago

Sounds good, but I'm still cautious with this new social media platform and its owners.

[–] lautan@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Didn't everyone say this would happen and was the whole reason Trump wanted to control Tiktok?

[–] baka@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 week ago

Trump wanted us to go to a pro-palestinian app? Make it make sense..

No, he wants to get more millions from "israel".. and izrabaal wants to control people.. simple.

[–] glitching@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 week ago

didn't see how they're planning to make money. the infra they described costs a lot of money, not to mention the actual devs doing the deving.