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.

  • kadu@scribe.disroot.orgEnglish
    113·
    2 days ago

    Reminder that Google is on it’s third attempt to prevent or limit the installation of APKs outside of the Play Store, meaning they are near the point they can effectively control what apps people run.

    • pkjqpg1h@lemmy.zipEnglish
      6·
      3 hours ago

      This was the real reason for me to ditch the whole Google

      I may compromise privacy

      but I’d die for FREEDOM

      • Squizzy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        42·
        2 days ago

        Do it now, use obtainium, droidfy and aurora. Nearly every app works except google wallet.

        • pkjqpg1h@lemmy.zipEnglish
          4·
          3 hours ago

          The updated F-Droid Basic is great, it’s modern and it

          • UI rewritten from scratch with Kotlin compose
          • improved search, also searching in descriptions and translations
          • easier to discover new apps, also highlighting the most downloaded ones
          • installation approval before downloading
          • multiple updates/downloads at the same time
          • notifying user of issues with apps (e.g. signing key changed)
          • optional Material You color theme
          • improved filtering of lists source
        • SpezCanLigmaBalls@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          2 days ago

          My only problem stopping me is I use my phone for work too. Microsoft auth, outlook. Mostly just auth. I was looking it up a bit ago and people said it breaks it for work accounts

          • Lfrith@lemmy.caEnglish
            24·
            2 days ago

            Not a good idea to mix personal and work devices. I’d recommend getting a cheap budget phone to use for work.

            • shane@feddit.nlEnglish
              15·
              1 day ago

              Or ask your work to give you a phone?

              My company insists on spyware for my phone, so I insist they give me a phone for work stuff. I leave it off in a drawer at home when I’m not on call.

              • Lfrith@lemmy.caEnglish
                2·
                22 hours ago

                Its not me but the person I responded to that is using one phone, so their work may not provide such things.

            • Zombie@feddit.ukEnglish
              6·
              1 day ago

              I’d recommend demanding work getting a cheap budget phone.

              If they require you have work software they can provide the hardware to run it.

              Your phone is your phone.

          • pirat@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            1 day ago

            The MS auth I need for a work VPN has been set up to call my phone instead, letting me sign in by tapping the # button after answering the phone call from MS.

          • Saljid@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            2 days ago

            I currently use MS Auth on my Graphene OS phone. Have installed Play Services on that profile, though