A rising trend in China: app for lonely people tops App Store charts
In China, the mobile app Sileme (死了么, meaning “Are you dead?”) has surged in popularity, becoming the top paid download on the App Store. Designed for lonely individuals who check in daily, the app sends an alert email to an emergency contact if there’s no activity for more than two days.
Source Weixin
The growing user base has strained the servers, prompting a price increase from 1 to 8 yuan (about 1 USD). Currently, the service has around 15,000 active users. While many appreciate the app’s usefulness, its provocative name has drawn criticism. Developers from Zhuzhou city in Henan province are considering a more neutral name change, such as Huozheme (活着么, “Are you alive?”). They also plan to add SMS notifications, a messenger feature, and functions tailored for elderly users.
These updates could make the app more user-friendly and secure, potentially expanding its reach especially among older generations who need regular health monitoring and safety checks.
