"Did You Die?": A Unique Mobile App Gains Popularity in China

A unique mobile application called Sileme (translated from Chinese as "Did you die?") has gained explosive popularity among young people living alone in China, as reported by the BBC.

The app's principle is very simple: a user must log in every two days and press a large button to confirm they are alive. If no activity is detected within the set timeframe, the system automatically sends a notification to the user's emergency contacts, warning them that an emergency may have occurred.

This technological solution has highlighted a sharp social issue in Chinese society. Projections suggest that by 2030, the number of single-person households in China could reach 200 million. The app is primarily used by office workers living alone in mega-cities, students, and individuals prone to depression.

Users admit to a deep-seated fear of "dying alone at home without anyone knowing." For example, 38-year-old Wilson Hou, who works in Beijing far from his family, says he downloaded the app to give his mother peace of mind.

The name "Sileme" was chosen as a dark-humored play on the popular Chinese food delivery service "Eleme" (meaning "Are you hungry?"). However, the name has faced criticism; some users believe such a name brings bad luck and suggest changing it to "How are you?".
Despite the controversy, the project has already entered the international market under the name Demumu. It has become one of the most popular paid applications in the United States, Singapore, and Australia.

The creators of the project are three young specialists born after 1995. They spent only $140 to develop the app. Today, a 10% stake in the company is valued at 1 million yuan (approximately $140,000). The developers plan to expand the service in the future with a specialized branch focused on monitoring the safety of the elderly living alone.