A controversial Chinese app with the allegedly offensive name “dead or alive” has been transformed into a government-backed safety tool.

The app, called Sileme, or “Are you dead?”, went viral in January because of its straightforward name that challenged the traditional taboo notions about death.

Its function was extremely simple.

The sign-in app features a giant green button on the screen. A person only needs to touch the button every day to confirm their “alive” status. If they fail to check in for two days in a row, it will send a message to the emergency contact person.

It costs eight yuan (US$1.2) in the app store. Some people said it was not worth paying for.

But young people liked it, finding it entertaining and meeting the needs of the country’s increasing number of solo users.