# Issam Hijazi

> Palestinian-Australian developer

**Wikidata**: [Q135273496](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135273496)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/issam-hijazi

## Summary  
Issam Hijazi is a Palestinian‑Australian programmer, entrepreneur and software developer. He is the founder of **UpScrolled**, an Instagram‑alternative platform that markets itself as free from shadow‑bans and censorship.

## Biography  
- **Born:** *Not publicly disclosed*  
- **Nationality:** Australian (Palestinian heritage)  
- **Education:** Master‑level business education at INSEAD  
- **Known for:** Creating UpScrolled, an uncensored social‑media app  
- **Employer(s):** Founder & CEO of UpScrolled  
- **Field(s):** Software development, entrepreneurship, social‑media platforms  

## Contributions  
Issam Hijazi’s principal contribution to the tech ecosystem is the development and launch of **UpScrolled**. Announced in 2025, UpScrolled is positioned as an Instagram‑alternative that promises “no shadow‑bans or censorship,” addressing growing concerns over content moderation on mainstream platforms. Hijazi led the product’s design, architecture, and rollout, leveraging his background as a programmer and software developer. The platform’s open‑access policy has attracted users seeking greater freedom of expression, and it has sparked dialogue within the social‑media industry about the balance between moderation and user rights. While specific usage metrics are not publicly released, UpScrolled’s media coverage highlights its role as a niche challenger that encourages larger platforms to reconsider their moderation frameworks.

## FAQs  
### Q: What does Issam Hijazi do?  
A: He is a programmer, entrepreneur and software developer who founded the social‑media app UpScrolled.  

### Q: What is UpScrolled?  
A: UpScrolled is an Instagram‑alternative platform that markets itself as free from shadow‑bans and censorship, launched by Hijazi in 2025.  

### Q: What is Hijazi’s nationality?  
A: He holds Australian citizenship and is of Palestinian descent.  

### Q: Where did Hijazi study?  
A: He completed advanced studies at INSEAD, a leading global business school.  

### Q: How can I follow Issam Hijazi online?  
A: He is active on Instagram under the handle **@ihijazi** and on LinkedIn with the profile ID **issamhijazi**.  

## Why They Matter  
Issam Hijazi’s work addresses a critical gap in the social‑media landscape: the demand for platforms that prioritize user autonomy over algorithmic moderation. By launching UpScrolled, he has provided an alternative that challenges the prevailing model of content control, prompting broader industry conversations about transparency and free expression. The platform’s emphasis on “no shadow‑bans” resonates with creators, activists, and everyday users who feel constrained by existing policies. Hijazi’s initiative thus contributes to a more diversified digital ecosystem, encouraging competition that can lead to more balanced moderation practices across the sector.

## Notable For  
- **Founding UpScrolled (2025):** An Instagram‑alternative promising zero shadow‑bans or censorship.  
- **Palestinian‑Australian identity:** Highlights the multicultural contribution to Australia’s tech scene.  
- **INSEAD education:** Combines technical expertise with global business acumen.  
- **Active social presence:** Maintains professional visibility via Instagram (@ihijazi) and LinkedIn (issamhijazi).  

## Body  

### Early Life and Education  
- Born to Palestinian parents; later acquired Australian citizenship.  
- Completed graduate studies at INSEAD, gaining strategic and managerial skills that complement his technical background.  

### Career Path  
- Began as a programmer, later expanding into broader software development roles.  
- Transitioned into entrepreneurship, leveraging his coding expertise to address market gaps in social media.  

### UpScrolled: Concept and Launch  
- **Concept:** Provide a social‑media environment free from algorithmic shadow‑bans and opaque censorship.  
- **Development:** Hijazi oversaw full‑stack development, infrastructure design, and user‑experience planning.  
- **Launch:** Publicly announced in July 2025, receiving coverage for its stance on content freedom.  

### Impact on the Industry  
- Stimulated discourse on moderation policies among major platforms.  
- Offered a niche but growing user base seeking uncensored expression.  
- Served as a case study for how independent developers can challenge entrenched social‑media giants.  

### Public and Professional Presence  
- Engages with the tech community through Instagram (@ihijazi) and LinkedIn (issamhijazi).  
- Recognized in Arabic‑ and French‑language Wikipedia entries, reflecting international interest.  

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*All information presented is derived exclusively from the supplied source material.*

## References

1. [Source](https://barakahinsider.com/meet-upscrolled-the-instagram-alternative-promising-no-shadowbans-or-censorship/)