Are You Dead? App Becomes China's Top Paid Download for Solo Dwellers

• The app, named Sileme in Chinese, launched in May and is now China's most downloaded paid app.
• It targets people living alone, allowing them to check in every two days by tapping a button to confirm they are okay.
• If a user fails to check in, the app alerts a pre-selected emergency contact, indicating potential need for help.
• Originally free, the app now costs 8 yuan ($1.15) and is seen as a safety companion for independent individuals.
• Despite its blunt name causing discomfort, the app addresses a real fear for solo dwellers, offering a simple safety net.

Why It Matters: An app with a stark name offers a simple, effective safety net for the growing number of people living alone.