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.
Wow, and in the future you can’t side load apps on Android. Censorship is rolling in.
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.
I am also on element but some of the charts* aren’t super active yet; do you have some suggestions?
* = Chats, autocorrect kicked in