TikTok users move to UpScrolled amid privacy concerns after US ownership change

A growing number of TikTok users are testing alternative platforms following unease over the app’s recent ownership change in the United States, with many gravitating toward a newer short-video service called UpScrolled.

The shift comes shortly after TikTok finalized its U.S. ownership restructuring on January 22, 2026. Under the deal, the platform’s American operations were placed under a new entity, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, with U.S. investors — including Oracle — holding a controlling stake. ByteDance retained a minority ownership of 19.9%. Around the same time, TikTok introduced an updated privacy policy, prompting some users to question how their data may be handled going forward.

As previously reported, backlash emerged when users were asked to accept the revised terms, with concerns circulating online about potential expansion of location tracking and data-sharing practices. Additional alarm spread over references to sensitive personal data, though those provisions were part of earlier updates dating back to 2024, according to the report.

Beyond privacy issues, some creators have also complained of technical problems on the app. Users reported disruptions to their “For You” feeds, including irrelevant or repeated videos, unexpected foreign-language content, and delays in content review that left new posts stalled at zero views for extended periods.

Amid that frustration, attention has turned to UpScrolled, a short-form video app developed by Palestinian-Australian creator Issam Hijazi. The platform markets itself as offering a simplified feed, fewer algorithmic interventions, and no shadowbanning, features that some users say resemble TikTok’s earlier experience. UpScrolled first gained notice in 2025 for its emphasis on free expression, and recent discussions suggest downloads have accelerated again.

Online conversations on X and Reddit show mixed reactions, with some users predicting TikTok’s decline under its new U.S.-led structure, while others caution against overreacting, drawing comparisons to past predictions surrounding other major platform ownership changes. Reddit threads have also included discussions about securing usernames, sharing onboarding tips, and acknowledging early content imbalances as the user base grows.

According to the report, the increased interest briefly overwhelmed UpScrolled’s sign-up system, slowing registrations. The development team has acknowledged the issue and said technical fixes are underway.

Whether dissatisfaction with TikTok translates into long-term growth for alternatives like UpScrolled remains uncertain, but the recent surge highlights rising scrutiny of social media platforms amid ongoing debates over privacy, data control, and content algorithms.