China’s 'Are You Dead?' app goes viral

China is making waves in the world of technology again. 

An app, which translates to 'Are You Dead?' in English, is particularly aimed at people living alone in the country.

Primedia's Digital Content Editor Barbara Friedman explains why it has so many people talking about it.

"Of course it's creating a lot of debates about loneliness and ageing populations, and how technology is stepping in where maybe social structures fall short."

The concept is quite simple, the user must check in regularly to confirm that they are alive. If they fail to check in for two consecutive days, the system automatically sends a notification to a predesignated emergency contact who will check in on them.

Friedman says the type of users are somewhat surprising.

"It's useful for the elderly, but it also seems to be for the solo office workers of a younger generation... it's driven by this increasing independence, changing societal norms, cities where people are going for economic opportunities, and choosing not to get married at the same rate that they used to."

To listen to Barbara Friedman in conversation with CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford, click the audio below: