Issam Hijazi is a Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian technologist and entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO of UpScrolled, a social media platform that has gained traction as a TikTok alternative amid recent changes in the U.S. social media landscape. Launched in 2025, UpScrolled emphasizes user transparency, privacy, and freedom of expression, and has seen a surge in downloads following TikTok’s U.S. restructuring deal announced in January 2026.
Early Life and Background
Hijazi holds Palestinian-Jordanian heritage and is based in Australia, where he has built his career in technology. Specific details on his early life, such as birth date or family background, are not publicly detailed in available sources, but his multicultural roots have influenced his work, particularly in addressing content suppression issues. He is described as a “Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian technologist” across multiple profiles, reflecting a blend of Middle Eastern and Australian identities that informs his advocacy for fair online platforms.
Hijazi’s education includes studies at INSEAD, a leading global business school, which has equipped him with strategic insights for building tech ventures.
Career in Technology
Hijazi has over two decades of experience in the tech industry, with notable roles at major companies. He previously worked at IBM and Oracle, where he gained expertise in software development, enterprise solutions, and technology infrastructure. These positions honed his skills in scalable systems and user-focused innovation, laying the groundwork for his entrepreneurial pursuits.
He is also the head of Recursive Methods Pty Ltd, an Australia-based company that serves as the parent entity behind UpScrolled. Based in Sydney, Recursive Methods focuses on developing digital tools and platforms, with Hijazi leading as its primary executive.
Founding UpScrolled
In 2025, Hijazi founded UpScrolled in response to growing concerns over content moderation and suppression on mainstream platforms, particularly for pro-Palestine voices and other marginalized communities. The app was created as a “social platform for transparent discussions,” allowing users to post short-form videos, edit content, share text updates, and engage in ways similar to TikTok but with an emphasis on user control and reduced algorithmic bias.
“The breaking point came in late 2023. As global events unfolded, our founder Issam Hijazi, a Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian technologist with decades of experience, decided enough was enough,” states UpScrolled’s official about page, highlighting events like the suppression of Palestinian content as a key motivator.
UpScrolled positions itself as an alternative to Meta, TikTok, and X, prioritizing features that “amplify your voice” without heavy censorship. The platform has quickly gained users, especially in the wake of TikTok’s U.S. takeover announcement on January 22, 2026, which prompted fears of changes in content policies. Downloads surged, with UpScrolled reaching the top 10 free apps on Apple’s App Store in the U.S. by January 26, 2026, accumulating thousands of five-star reviews.
Hijazi has described the app as a space where “social media serves people instead of algorithms,” aiming to foster meaningful engagement over viral sensationalism.
Professional Network and Influence
Hijazi maintains a professional presence on LinkedIn, where he is connected to over 500 individuals in the tech and business sectors. His profile emphasizes his role as a “technology leader” driving innovative platforms. While not as publicly prolific as some tech founders, his work has been spotlighted in media coverage from outlets like TechCrunch, The Verge, and Roya News, which have praised UpScrolled’s rapid growth and Hijazi’s vision for a more equitable social media landscape.
Personal Life and Advocacy
Hijazi’s Palestinian heritage plays a central role in his advocacy, with UpScrolled explicitly designed to counter the “repeated suppression of pro-Palestine content” on other platforms. He resides in Sydney, Australia, and balances his tech career with efforts to promote digital inclusivity.
As of January 2026, Hijazi continues to lead UpScrolled’s expansion, focusing on user privacy, AI-driven personalization, and global reach. His journey from corporate tech roles to founding a rising social platform underscores a commitment to using technology for positive change, particularly for underrepresented voices.
