Viral 'Are You Dead' App Tackles China's Loneliness Epidemic

• The 'Are You Dead' app (Sile Me in Chinese, Demumu internationally) has become China's most downloaded paid app, addressing a growing loneliness crisis.
• Developed by three individuals from Zhengzhou, Henan, the app requires users to 'check in' every two days; failure to do so alerts an emergency contact.
• Initially free, the app now costs eight yuan (approx. Rs 100) and has seen a 100-fold download spike, topping Apple's paid App Store in China and gaining popularity in the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and Spain.
• Targeting young urban dwellers, solo residents, and vulnerable individuals, the app provides a 'lightweight safety tool' for those worried about unforeseen events while living alone.
• The app's success highlights China's rapidly changing demographics, including a rise in one-person households (projected 200 million by 2030) and a skyrocketing single population.

Why It Matters: The 'Are You Dead' app's virality underscores China's profound loneliness issue and the need for solo-living support.