An app designed for people living alone, named “Are You Dead Yet” (“死了么”), has recently topped the Apple paid software chart in China. Because the name is so direct, it has sparked discussion online, with some internet users suggesting the name should be changed to “Are You Alive Yet”.
According to Guangzhou Daily, “Are You Dead Yet” is a lightweight safety tool for people living alone. Users must set up emergency contacts and check in. If the user does not check in within the app for several consecutive days, the system will automatically send an email to the emergency contact the next day. The “Are You Dead Yet” app is priced at 8 yuan (RMB, about 4.7 ringgit).
Fast Technology reported that “Are You Dead Yet” has climbed to the number one spot on the Apple paid software chart.
Why develop such an app? Mr. Lü, a member of the app’s founding development team, said that they noticed this need on social platforms as early as two or three years ago. “In recent years, everyone has been discussing ‘What app does everyone need and would definitely download?’ Some internet users mentioned the ‘Are You Dead Yet’ app. This idea generated a lot of discussion, so we saw the demand behind it.”
Why develop such an app? Mr. Lü, a member of the app’s founding development team, said that they noticed this need on social platforms as early as two or three years ago. “In recent years, everyone has been discussing ‘What app does everyone need and would definitely download?’ Some internet users mentioned the ‘Are You Dead Yet’ app. This idea generated a lot of discussion, so we saw the demand behind it.”
Some internet users have offered suggestions for improvement—such as notifying emergency contacts via SMS, or optimizing the check-in process—but more users felt the app’s name, “Are You Dead Yet”, was unpleasant and suggested changing it to “Are You Alive Yet”.
In response, Mr. Lü said they have not yet received any official request to rename the app. He noted that the word “death” is rarely mentioned, “but death is something everyone must face. We hope that when people are aware of the endpoint of their own life, perhaps they can better embrace the present.”
Former Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin also commented on Weibo Saturday (January 10), saying that “Are You Dead Yet” is really good and can help many lonely elderly people. He also suggested renaming the app to “Are You Alive Yet”, “because this would provide elderly users with a bit more comfort. I believe that if the app is renamed, it would become even more popular. Otherwise, someone else could come out with an app with the same function but called ‘Are You Alive Yet’.”
Former Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin also commented on Weibo Saturday (January 10), saying that “Are You Dead Yet” is really good and can help many lonely elderly people. He also suggested renaming the app to “Are You Alive Yet”, “because this would provide elderly users with a bit more comfort. I believe that if the app is renamed, it would become even more popular. Otherwise, someone else could come out with an app with the same function but called ‘Are You Alive Yet’.”
According to Cover News, “Are You Dead Yet” was developed by Moon Territory (Zhengzhou) Technical Service Co., Ltd., and is only available on Apple’s iOS. Enterprise inquiry information shows that Moon Territory (Zhengzhou) Technical Service Co., Ltd. was founded last March, with a registered capital of 100,000 yuan.