New Delhi, Jan. 16 -- There is a new app that everyone in China seems to be talking about. Called "Are you dead", it is designed to check on people who live alone and has suddenly gone viral, drawing tons of downloads and widespread chatter on social media.

This sudden popularity has pushed the app's creator to introduce a subscription fee and rebrand it with a new name to make it more suitable for users outside China, as it prepares for a global audience.

The digital platform, called Sileme in Chinese, which translates to "Are you dead?" in English, is described by its developers as a lightweight safety tool created for solo dwellers, such as students, office workers or anyone who chooses a solitary lifestyle.

It was launched in May l...