economy
February 2, 2026
China gloom: The 'Are you dead?' app is dead, and a 'crying horse' plushie is selling out
China shut down the "Are you dead" app, but the "crying horse" is selling out as the country grapples with a slowing economy and uncertainty.
TL;DR
- Chinese consumers are experiencing deflation and economic slowdown, contrasting with American concerns about inflation.
- A "crying horse" plush toy, initially a factory error, has become a runaway hit, symbolizing societal stress and unhappiness.
- The "Are You Dead?" app, which alerts emergency contacts if a user doesn't check in, gained viral popularity among people living alone.
- The app, renamed Demumu, was removed from China's App Store by government order for failing to "adhere to public order and good morals."
- Societal factors like an aging population, young people moving to cities alone, and a declining marriage rate contribute to increased loneliness and anxiety.
- McDonald's cubicle-style seating, offering privacy for solo diners, has also gone viral, seen as a nod to more Chinese living alone.
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