Sydney: UpScrolled, an app developed by Palestinian-Australian software engineer Issam Hijazi as an alternative to TikTok, was reinstated on the Google Play Store Sunday after a brief suspension. "It's official. We're back together! Google Play reinstated," the platform announced on its official account on US social media platform X.

According to Anadolu Agency, on Saturday, UpScrolled had informed its users that Google Play had temporarily removed the app, stating it was "currently unavailable for download on the Play Store." The platform communicated that it was working closely with the Google Play Team to resolve the issue.

Following the announcement of its removal, UpScrolled experienced server issues due to a significant surge of new users. The platform's user base dramatically increased from 150,000 to millions within a week, drawing widespread attention in the digital sphere. This rapid rise occurred amidst growing criticism of mainstream social media platforms. Some TikTok users have alleged that pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel content was being subjected to 'shadow banning' on TikTok, prompting migration to alternatives like UpScrolled.

Launched in June 2025, UpScrolled's growth highlights the shifting dynamics in the social media landscape, where users seek platforms that align more closely with their perspectives and content preferences.