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“Are you dead?” app goes viral in China with 10 million downloads

Gail P Sherman
Jan 14, 2026
∙ Paid

An app that asks “Are you dead?” went viral in China and hit the top of Apple’s App Store with over 10 million downloads.

The single-purpose app for people who live alone has no bells or whistles. Users enter their name and the email address of a friend or family member — preferably one comfortable with coming over to check for a dead body. The interface…

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Gail P Sherman
Geek, gamer, childless cat (and dog) lady
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