Khaberni - "UpScrolled", which has become an alternative for many users of the famous "TikTok" app, topped the list of social networking applications in the Apple Store in the United States, outperforming many competitors, and achieving one million users according to its founder.
Indeed, Essam Hijazi, a Jordanian developer of Palestinian origin holding Australian nationality, revealed that his application reached one million users, noting that the success is owed to them and not just the team.
The young man clarified details about his life, saying he was born in Jordan, but his family is from Palestine, specifically from Safed, noting that his family emigrated in 1948, left their home, and then moved to the capital, Amman, before they traveled and settled in Australia, stating that he now holds Australian nationality.
Hijazi also talked about the turning point in his life, noting that in 2023 things completely changed for him and his family, as he lost family members in the Gaza Strip, explaining that he noticed how important stories disappear and misinformation progresses on popular communication platforms, especially during the war on Gaza, and that this was a motivation for him to work on an alternative that offers more freedom and balance in content.
Massive increase.. and the secret is in "TikTok"
He also said that in November 2023 he decided to work on his own platform, allowing everyone to express their opinion freely without any censorship of their content.
Hijazi also pointed out that he did not expect the massive increase in downloads of his platform especially after the transfer of ownership of TikTok in the United States, where some user complaints about censorship and content emerged, prompting many to try UpScrolled as an alternative. He said the number of users jumped from 150,000 to one million users in just a few days.
No ads.. no celebrities
Furthermore, the young Palestinian-origin man affirmed that the application does not rely on advertisements or paying celebrities for promotion, but it is a platform for anyone wanting to share or publish their discussions about freedom or any other topic without hidden censorship or favoritism for those who pay.
The application also emphasized in a statement published on the "X" platform, that it does not rely on algorithms that dominate content for commercial or political purposes.
It is worth mentioning that UpScrolled was founded in June 2025 by Essam Hijazi, a Palestinian developer who previously worked with major technology companies such as Oracle and IBM.
The launch of the "UpScrolled" platform was a reaction to the restrictions on Palestinian content on major platforms during the Gaza war, when Hijazi saw the need to create a digital space that allows Palestinians to express freely without hidden restrictions or strict censorship.
Meanwhile, activists considered the UpScrolled platform a space where they can publish and express freely, unlike other applications that are subject to specific algorithms and strict censorship.
