UpScrolled’s social network is struggling to moderate hate speech after fast growth

UpScrolled, a rising social networking platform that gained popularity following a shift in TikTok's ownership in the U.S., is currently grappling with significant challenges in content moderation. After its user base surged to over 2.5 million in January, many users have expressed concerns regarding the platform's inability to address the proliferation of usernames and hashtags that include racial slurs and other forms of hate speech. Reports from users prompted TechCrunch to investigate, revealing an alarming array of offensive content. Some usernames prominently featured racial slurs, while others combined slurs with benign words, and some even included explicit hate speech, such as phrases glorifying notorious figures like Hitler. Despite contacting UpScrolled through its public email address, TechCrunch found that slurs reported through screenshots remained visible even days later. Moreover, harmful content wasn't limited to usernames; it was also present in hashtags and accompanying text in photo and video posts. This troubling discovery was corroborated by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which highlighted that UpScrolled has become a platform for antisemitic and extremist content. Founded in 2025, UpScrolled promotes itself as a platform that grants equal power to every voice. Since June 2025, it has achieved over 4 million downloads on both iOS and Android, surpassing its own previously reported figures. However, while UpScrolled asserts that it does not censor opinions, its policies do indicate a commitment to restricting content related to illegal activity, hate speech, and harassment—yet enforcement of these guidelines appears to be lacking. This struggle is not unique to UpScrolled; many social networks experience moderation challenges, particularly when faced with a sudden influx of new users. For instance, Bluesky encountered similar issues in July 2023, leading to user dissatisfaction. Following TechCrunch's inquiries, UpScrolled's press account pointed to a video by founder Issam Hijazi, where he addressed the moderation issues. In the video, Hijazi acknowledged the presence of harmful content on the platform and emphasized the company's commitment to fostering a healthy digital environment. To combat these issues, Hijazi stated that UpScrolled is expanding its content moderation team and enhancing its technological infrastructure to more effectively identify and eliminate harmful content. As the platform navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen how effectively it can balance user freedom with the necessity of creating a safe online space.