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‘Are You Dead?’ Tops China’s Paid App Store as Global Downloads Surge

The three-person team is weighing a name change after criticism of the blunt title.

Overview

  • The minimalist safety app asks users to tap a button every two days, then emails an emergency contact on the third day if check-ins are missed, with a current price of about 8 yuan.
  • Listed internationally as Demumu, it has climbed into top paid rankings in markets including the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Spain.
  • Researchers and media cite projections of up to roughly 200 million one-person households in China by 2030, a backdrop that helps explain the rapid uptake.
  • The Zhengzhou-based founders say the app cost about 1,000 yuan to build and are seeking to sell 10% of the company for 1 million yuan.
  • Moonscape Technologies acknowledges discomfort with the name and is considering SMS alerts, messaging tools and elder-focused features as users question the current email-based alert speed.