'Dead Or Not' app aimed at people living alone surges to top spot

A new app called Si Le Me, literally meaning "Dead Or Not", has surged to the top of Apple's paid app rankings in China, igniting heated discussion on social media.

According to a report by Guangzhou Daily on Thursday, the app, priced at 8 yuan ($1.15), has captured the number one spot among paid applications in the App Store in China.

The app is designed specifically for people living alone, functioning as a safety tool. Users are required to set an emergency contact and to check in regularly. If a user fails to check in for two consecutive days, the app automatically sends an email notification to their designated contact.

In an interview with Guangzhou Daily on Saturday, one of the app's creators, surnamed Lyv, shared insights into its development. The team, consisting of three individuals, all born in the mid-1990s, works remotely while maintaining separate full-time jobs. The idea for the app emerged from social media discussions two to three years ago about universally essential apps. So the team registered the name and completed development within a month.

The rapid ascent of the app has also sparked debate over its stark name.

While some users have suggested improvements, such as notifying emergency contacts via text message or refining the check-in process, many have criticized the name for its negative connotations. Suggestions for a more positive name, such as Alive Or Not, have been proposed.

In response to the feedback, Lyv noted that they have so far not received any formal requests from authorities to change the app's name. He acknowledged that the subject of death is often taboo in Chinese culture but believed that confronting mortality can enhance appreciation for the present.

Lyv has not disclosed the app's specific download figures, but he said that its growth is remarkably fast. There have been instances of users failing to check in consecutively, but the team has yet to receive feedback confirming whether the app has truly assisted users.

As Dead Or Not continues to attract attention, the developers remain focused on enhancing the app's features to better meet user needs, while actively engaging in the ongoing discussion about its provocative name.