'Are You Dead?' a safety app for solo dwellers goes viral in China

A Chinese app called "Are You Dead?" — known in Chinese as "Sileme" — has attracted widespread attention online after topping Apple’s paid App Store chart in China. 

Marketed as a safety tool for people living alone, it lets users set emergency contacts and check in daily. If they fail to check in for several days, the system automatically alerts those contacts.

The app, priced at 8 yuan (HK$8.9), has been controversial, with many users calling it unpleasant and urging a rename to “Are You Alive?” (“Huozheme”). Others praised the app’s usefulness, saying it could help not only elderly people living alone but also young adults facing potential health or safety risks.

The app, with a development cost of just over 1,000 yuan, is already profitable, the developers said, adding that they will seriously consider a name change.

They also plan to sell a 10 percent stake for 1 million yuan, indicating a market valuation of 10 million yuan.