A smartphone app that helps single-person households confirm their life or death is gaining traction in China, reaching the top spot on paid app stores. The app's name, "Dead or Not," is 死了么 in Chinese. Users are asked to check in once a day to report their life. If no check-in occurs for two consecutive days, a notification is automatically sent to designated emergency contacts the following day. This system allows family and friends to more quickly detect any unusual signs when a single user loses contact.
The app was initially distributed for free, but recently changed to a paid version, costing around 8 yuan. The development cost is said to have been around 1,000 yuan, and there are reports that it has already surpassed the break-even point. The founding team consisted of three people, all born after 1995. They announced plans to expand notification channels and add a message-leaving feature in the future. They also announced plans to simplify the user experience to make it more accessible to the elderly.
However, the provocative name has sparked controversy. As people continue to express discomfort with the expression directly mentioning death, a plan to change the name to "Are you alive?" is under consideration. Analysts say that the rapid increase in single-person households in Chinese society, coupled with low birth rates and an aging population, has increased demand for such services. Local projections suggest that the number of single-person households could reach as many as 200 million by 2030. Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times, reportedly commented on Weibo that it would be helpful for the elderly living alone. As scenes of simple check-ins becoming a personal safety net spread, the trend of technology filling the gaps in loneliness and care is also highlighted.
