  The recent LHCb determination of the direct CP asymmetries in the decays $D^0
\to K^+ K^-, \pi^+ \pi^-$ hints at a sizeable breaking of two approximate
symmetries of the SM: CP and U-spin. We aim at explaining the data with BSM
physics and use the framework of flavorful $Z^\prime$ models. Interestingly,
experimental and theoretical constraints very much narrow down the shape of
viable models: Viable, anomaly-free models are electron- and muon-phobic and
feature a light $Z^\prime$ of 10-20 GeV coupling only to right-handed fermions.
The $Z^\prime$ can be searched for in low mass dijets or at the LHC as well as
dark photon searches. A light $Z^\prime$ of $\sim$ 3 GeV or $\sim$ 5-7 GeV can
moreover resolve the longstanding discrepancy in the $J/\psi, \psi^\prime$
branching ratios with pion form factors from fits to $e^+ e^- \to \pi^+ \pi^-$
data, and simultaneously explain the charm CP asymmetries. Smoking gun
signatures for this scenario are $\Upsilon$ and charmonium decays into pions,
taus or invisbles.
