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A mobile application developed in China designed to assess the safety of individuals living alone has become extremely popular.

As reported by international media, including the Global Times on the 12th (local time), the mobile application “Are You Dead?” recently launched in China has topped the paid app section on Apple’s App Store. The app functions as a tool to verify the user’s survival. It works by sending an alert to family members, friends, or emergency contacts if the “check-in” button is not pressed within two days.

Initially offered at no cost, the price was later raised to 8 yuan (about 1,690 Korean won). The expenses for app development were roughly 1,000 yuan (approximately 210,000 Korean won), and it is said that the app has already generated profits. The app development team mentioned they intend to introduce features like alerts and message storage in the future to make the system more suitable for older users.

Nevertheless, because of the unfavorable reactions to the provocative name that caused debate, the team is thinking about renaming the app to “Are You Alive?” Additionally, some users have recommended including features such as heart rate tracking and automatic notifications.

The main factor behind the app’s sudden widespread popularity after its launch seems to be the growing number of individuals living alone in Chinese society. Local real estate research organizations estimated that because of the deteriorating trends in low birth rates and an aging population, the number of single-person households in China might rise to as many as 200 million by 2030, making up more than 30% of all households.