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China’s Viral ‘Are You Dead?’ App Rebrands as Demumu, Adds Subscription

Its rapid rise reflects growing demand for low‑friction safety tools in a country with soaring numbers of people living alone.

Overview

  • The minimalist app asks users to check in roughly every 48 hours and emails a designated contact after consecutive missed check‑ins.
  • After topping Apple’s paid chart in China, the developer announced the global brand name Demumu and introduced an 8‑yuan fee to cover rising costs.
  • International listings show strong uptake, with the app ranking among top paid downloads in the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and Spain.
  • The stark original name drew pushback on Chinese social media, with suggestions such as “Are You Alive,” while the team publicly weighed a rename and settled on Demumu for global distribution.
  • Built by three co‑founders in Zhengzhou for about 1,000 yuan, the project has attracted investor interest, with a reported plan to sell 10% equity for 1 million yuan and explore features for elderly users.