'Are You Dead?' App Becomes Lifeline for China's Solo Dwellers

• The mobile app, 'Are You Dead?' (Sileme in Chinese), is one of China's most downloaded paid apps, addressing safety concerns for people living alone.
• Users tap a button every two days to confirm safety; failure to check in alerts a nominated emergency contact.
• The app's popularity reflects China's demographic shift towards nearly 200 million single-person households by 2030.
• Despite its unsettling name, which developers are considering rebranding, the app offers a basic digital safety net.
• It has sparked debate, with some praising it as a thoughtful safety tool and others seeing it as a reflection of urban isolation.

Why It Matters: A controversial app provides a vital safety net for China's growing population of people living alone.