An app named 'Are You Dead' has become hugely popular among Chinese people who are living alone or away from home. It is currently the most downloaded app in China. Despite what the name suggests, 'Are You Dead' is not some deadly or harmful app. Yet this very app has created a storm across the Chinese digital space. The craze for this app is so intense that its usage in China has skyrocketed.
What does the ‘Are You Dead’ app actually do?
What is so special about this app that has caused such widespread discussion in China? At first glance, there appears to be no particular reason. The main purpose of the app is to notify close relatives that someone is safe, alive, or has not encountered any danger.
Also Read | Google's AI can now access your Gmail inboxes; here's what it means for user privacy
The app has a large green button. If a user does not click on it every two days, it is assumed that the person may have encountered some danger. If clicked, the app sends a notification to emergency contacts, conveying the message that the person is safe.
Rising loneliness fuels the app’s popularity
This is essentially what the app does. However, recent surveys show that the number of lonely people in China has increased dramatically over the past few years. By 2030, the number of such lonely Chinese is expected to reach 200 million, according to multiple surveys conducted in the country.
As a result, many Chinese citizens believe that if they die or encounter danger, no one may even know about it. The ‘Are You Dead’ app is becoming a source of reassurance for such individuals. There is extensive discussion about the app on Chinese social media. One user wrote that the app is very necessary for people who live alone. Others have said that for introverts, those suffering from unemployment, or people dealing with depression, the app serves as a helpful alternative.
Another Chinese citizen living alone wrote that he constantly fears whether anyone would even retrieve his body if he died. That fear prompted him to download the app.
At the same time, questions are also being raised about the app’s name. The use of the word “dead” has been described as negative and unsettling. Critics argue that the name itself may create anxiety and question whether it reflects a deeper social reality. Some have suggested that it could have been named ‘Are You OK’ or ‘How Are You’, noting that merely hearing the app’s name can feel depressing.
Also Read | Google’s most powerful AI tools are now free: Here's what users get without paying
The company that developed the app has not responded to calls for a name change so far. According to the developers, the app was created with a positive intention, and they believe that changing the name could affect its brand value and popularity.
However, regardless of the debate around its name, the surge in popularity of ‘Are You Dead’ in China shows no signs of slowing down. Downloads of the app continue to rise every day.
