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UpScrolled<\/a>, a social network that caught fire<\/a> after TikTok\u2019s ownership change in the U.S., is facing a serious moderation problem. After growing to more than 2.5 million users<\/a> in January, users have reported the app is not taking action on the creation of usernames and hashtags that contain racial slurs, and hasn\u2019t been able to properly moderate harmful content.<\/p>\n After receiving tips from UpScrolled users, TechCrunch confirmed the existence of a wide range of racial slurs and hate speech being used in people\u2019s usernames on the app. For instance, some usernames would feature the name of the slur itself, the slur combined with other words, or multiple slurs in a single username; other usernames contain hate speech, like \u201cGlory to Hitler.\u201d <\/p>\n After reporting these slurs to UpScrolled\u2019s public email address, we received a response from that email that the company is \u201cactively reviewing and removing inappropriate content,\u201d and is working to expand its moderation capacity. The email advised us not to engage with bad-faith actors while the situation is resolved.<\/p>\n Days after reporting this activity on the app, the accounts with slurs in the usernames that were provided to UpScrolled via screenshots remained online. <\/p>\n In addition, slurs and hate speech can be found elsewhere in the app, including hashtags and text used alongside its photo or video content, TechCrunch found. Other harmful content was available, including text posts with racial slurs and hate speech, and photo and video content glorifying Hitler, based on TechCrunch\u2019s review of the app.<\/p>\n TechCrunch wasn\u2019t alone in identifying this problem; the ADL also published a blog post this month<\/a>, noting that UpScrolled was becoming home to antisemitic and extremist content and designated<\/a> foreign terrorist organizations, like Hamas and others.<\/p>\n UpScrolled, which was founded in 2025, claims on its website claims that the platform offers every voice \u201cequal power.\u201d The app has seen more than 4 million downloads on iOS and Android since June 2025, according to market intelligence provider Appfigures<\/a> \u2014 a figure even higher than the startup\u2019s self-reported number last month.<\/p>\n Techcrunch event<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBoston, MA<\/span> But while UpScrolled\u2019s FAQ<\/a> explains the app doesn\u2019t \u201ccensor opinions,\u201d it does indicate that its policy<\/a> is to restrict content that involves \u201cillegal activity, hate speech, bullying, harassment, explicit nudity, unlicensed copyrighted material, or anything intended to cause harm.\u201d<\/p>\n That guidance is similar to most modern-day social media platforms. It\u2019s clear, however, that the company is struggling to enforce its rules.<\/p>\n It\u2019s battle that social networks are often faced with \u2014 especially those that receive a large influx of new users in a short time period. Bluesky, for instance, faced issues with slurs in account usernames in July 2023<\/a>, which led to users threatening to leave the site.<\/p>\n After UpScrolled\u2019s initial reply to our inquiry, TechCrunch also received a response from the press account on Tuesday, which directed us to UpScrolled founder Issam Hijazi\u2019s<\/a> new video<\/a>, where he addressed the issues with content moderation.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJune 23, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n