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.”
https://x.com/guychristensen_/status/2015203882176004510?s=46&t=t_-JFgpXqgMIkVsuBfWELw
https://x.com/guychristensen_/status/2015352103842013614?s=46&t=t_-JFgpXqgMIkVsuBfWELw
Several activists and social media users have joined the app in recent days.
https://x.com/xisraelexposedx/status/2015330741840756843?s=46&t=t_-JFgpXqgMIkVsuBfWELw
https://x.com/mahmoudmassri15/status/2015349795020292282?s=46&t=t_-JFgpXqgMIkVsuBfWELw
Users have been joining UpScrolled after TikTok announced on Thursday that it closed a $14 billion deal establishing a US subsidiary of the platform to avoid a ban.
https://x.com/tadhghickey/status/2015342700355035195?s=46&t=t_-JFgpXqgMIkVsuBfWELw
Under the reported deal, the Chinese company that owns the short-video social media app, ByteDance, will transfer control of TikTok’s algorithm and other US operations to a new consortium of investors led by the US technology company Oracle. The long-gestating deal will give Oracle’s billionaire pro-Trump Larry Ellison the power to impose his anti-Palestinian agenda over the content that TikTok users see.
Three managing investors will each hold a 15% stake in the new venture: Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX.
TikTok has played a critical role in helping hundreds of millions of users see the reality of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. But the Trump-favored billionaire who took over TikTok’s US operations has a documented agenda of both suppressing voices critical of Israel and supporting the Israeli military that has killed more than 71,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly children and women.
TikTok’s US operations could become an exercise in blocking users from seeing and reacting to the crimes against humanity perpetrated by Israel, a major US ally.
Ellison is a major donor to the Israeli military, in 2017, he donated $16.6 million to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, what was at the time the nonprofit’s largest single donation ever, as well as a close fonfidant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Catz, who stepped down as Oracle’s CEO in 2025, said while unveiling a new Oracle data center in Jerusalem in 2021, “I love my employees, and if they don’t agree with our mission to support the State of Israel then maybe we aren’t the right company for them. Larry and I are publicly committed to Israel and devote personal time to the country, and no one should be surprised by that.” The Ellison family has also brought his pro-Israel agenda to CBS News, where Larry’s son, David Ellison, recently installed anti-Palestinian ideologue Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief.
TikTok played an important role in the sea change of US opinion about Israel, particularly among young people.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he understands the consequences of access to unfiltered social media. He recently described the sale of TikTok as “the most important purchase happening. … I hope it goes through because it can be consequential.” Netanyahu, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in Gaza, sees control of TikTok as a part of Israel’s military strategy. “You have to fight with the weapons that apply to the battlefield, and one of the most important ones is social media,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Adam Presser, a TikTok trust and safety executive, will act as CEO of TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC.
https://x.com/infolibnews/status/2015219910775816670?s=46&t=t_-JFgpXqgMIkVsuBfWELw
About UpScrolled
UpScrolled is a social media platform and mobile app designed as an alternative to mainstream networks like Instagram, X and TikTok. According to the website, it emphasizes free expression, transparency, and fairness by avoiding hidden algorithms, shadowbanning, and unfair content suppression.
Issam Hijazi is the founder and CEO of UpScrolled. He is described as a Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian technologist with experience in major tech environments and leadership roles. Hijazi launched the platform out of frustration with how major social networks manage speech and content visibility.
https://x.com/ihijazi/status/1975293506030841987?s=46&t=t_-JFgpXqgMIkVsuBfWELw
The idea for UpScrolled emerged in late 2023 when Hijazi observed meaningful stories and voices supporting Palestine and against Israeli genocide disappearing or being de-prioritized on existing social platforms.
Source: QNN, UpScrolled, The Intercept, BBC
