UpScrolled adds Irish language support to be 'more inclusive'

UpScrolled, a social media platform founded in response to the silencing of Palestinians, has expanded its language options by adding Irish support, according to founder and CEO Issam Hijazi. The app now offers Irish, English, Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, and Italian. Hijazi emphasizes that adding Irish is a step towards creating a more inclusive space where users can connect and express themselves in their preferred language.

Recent research indicates that 73 percent of individuals under 35 in Ireland are eager to improve their Irish language skills, known as Gaeilge. UpScrolled, which was initially based in Australia but later moved to the Netherlands, claims to address misinformation by exposing bots, fake accounts, deepfakes, and organized propaganda, irrespective of the viewpoint.

The app has faced controversies, including accusations of inadequate content moderation and being briefly removed from Google's mobile app store. Despite these challenges, UpScrolled continues to grow, marking its one-year anniversary in June. The platform has been praised for its ability to empower marginalized voices, even as it operates under various restrictions, such as a ban in Saudi Arabia.