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Google Play has delisted UpScrolled, the "censorship-resistant" social media app founded by Issam Hijazi, following its rapid growth to over 2.5 million users and its brief stint as a top-ranked alternative to TikTok.

While the app remains available for existing users, Google has not provided a specific reason for the removal; UpScrolled's team confirmed they are working with the Play Store for reinstatement while maintaining their commitment to unfiltered content.

This development follows the app's rapid ascent in popularity, particularly amid concerns over content moderation on competing platforms like TikTok.

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[-] Ascend910@lemmy.ml 5 points 10 hours ago

It is Propitary we are falling for the blue sky trick again

[-] finickydesert_1@social.vivaldi.net 23 points 16 hours ago

Wow, and in the future you can't side load apps on Android. Censorship is rolling in.

[-] hoshikarakitaridia@lemmy.world 3 points 15 hours ago

I feel bad for everyone who needs censorship bypass apps.

Also if anyone needs a pointer, I just tested Element again and it's gotten good enough, and it's technical design makes the matrix protocol more resilient against censorship of any kind. Although I would love to see some more audits and comments from experts.

[-] finickydesert_1@social.vivaldi.net 0 points 15 hours ago

I am also on element but some of the charts aren't super active yet; do you have some suggestions?

[-] hoshikarakitaridia@lemmy.world 1 points 12 hours ago

What do you mean by charts?

If you just mean general engagement, the beat for matrix would be to wait until element is stable enough that we can recommend the platform to a broader audience, and then it'll just be lots of patience.

[-] Sauvandu60@lemmy.ml 12 points 15 hours ago

Google is a zionist company.

[-] davel@lemmy.ml 9 points 16 hours ago

~freest\ country\ in\ the\ world\ btw~

[-] sudoer777@lemmy.ml 5 points 14 hours ago

https://nitter.net/realUpScrolled/status/2022787667654537686#m

And then they immediately got a surge of new users, well played Google

[-] dRLY@lemmy.ml 1 points 11 hours ago

It seems to be back up on the store now.

this post was submitted on 14 Feb 2026
51 points (96.4% liked)

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