A mobile app with the provocative title «Are You Dead Yet?» surged to the top of Apple’s paid app rankings in China last week. The ranking success quickly gave way to online debate over the app’s blunt approach to a sensitive topic, according to China Media Project.
Designed for people living alone
Released in March 2025 by a startup based in Henan province, the app is priced at about $1.15 and serves a straightforward purpose: ensuring the safety of people who live by themselves.
Users are prompted to check in once a day with a single tap to confirm they are safe. If the app detects that multiple check-ins have been missed, it automatically notifies designated emergency contacts, alerting them to a potential problem.
Responding to a growing social need
The app targets a fast-expanding demographic in China: official data from 2020 show that the country had roughly 125 million single-person households. For many in this group, especially older adults, sudden illness or accidents can go unnoticed for extended periods, making regular digital check-ins a potentially life-saving tool.
Name triggers cultural backlash
While the app’s functionality was widely acknowledged as useful, its name became the focal point of controversy on Chinese social media. Many users described it as unsettling or unlucky, arguing that it clashes with cultural preferences for euphemistic and optimistic language.
Some commenters suggested renaming the app to something gentler, such as «Are You Alive?» The backlash highlights a broader cultural discomfort in China with direct references to death, which are often avoided in everyday language and branding.
Developers open to rebranding
In response to the criticism, the developers said they are considering a name change as they continue to expand the app’s capabilities. Planned updates reportedly include SMS-based alerts and versions tailored for elderly users.
