Recently, Chinese developers logging into GitLab Global (gitlab.com) were shown a notice titled “Important Change to Your GitLab.com Account”. The gist: individuals and organizations in Mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong need to migrate their accounts to GitLab China (JiHu) within 60 days, after which the accounts will be deleted.
The notice
The notice isn’t sent by email — it only shows on your personal or organization profile page after logging into GitLab Global. Translated, it reads:
Please note that GitLab can no longer service GitLab.com accounts for individuals and organizations located in Mainland China, Macao, and Hong Kong. Our system indicates that you are visiting GitLab from one of these locations. We advise you to transition your GitLab.com account from GitLab to JiHu. JiHu is an independent company with a localized GitLab offering that has exclusive rights to provide GitLab to individuals and organizations located in this region. You have 60 days to complete the transition, after which GitLab will delete your account from our systems. If you believe you are receiving this notification in error, please log in to GitLab.com from a supported service location. For further information or support, please feel free to contact saasmigration@gitlab.cn.
Searching the source code
Searching GitLab’s source code shows this prompt was added for PIPL compliance:
According to the commit history, it was committed by Panos Kanellidis on November 15, 2024: Add PIPL email sent timestamp.
GitLab JiHu, the China edition
GitLab JiHu has already canceled its free plan — all SaaS services are paid now. A while back there was also the story of a former employee accusing the CEO of being a spy for the American side; it’s still unresolved. The same former employee also revealed an internal ” scorched-earth plan”: guide users into admitting they’re on the free edition, then send lawyer’s letters to intimidate them into paying. The former employee also said JiHu’s internal technical staff had been cut down to three people, and fully remote work was canceled.
I got to know GitLab JiHu back when it first entered China, with founder Chen Ran as CEO, and my impression was quite positive. After Liu Gang took over as CEO, JiHu changed beyond recognition: no more free edition, no community events at all — purely a sales-and-implementation shop.
This decision from GitLab Global has killed whatever goodwill I had left for GitLab — honestly it’s a bit disgusting. Once again: think twice before relying on it.