360doc Personal Library to Close in 2026 After Failed Transfer Attempts

Overview

360doc Personal Library (360doc个人图书馆), a long‑running Chinese user‑curated archive founded in 2005, will shut down all services on May 1, 2026, its founder Cai Zhi (蔡智) announced. The platform — which it has been reported serves more than 80 million registered users and has operated for roughly 20 years — is being retired because no suitable taker could be found who would guarantee data security and service continuity. In a farewell letter Cai wrote, “这一次，是真的要说再见了……最终失败” (“This time, it really is goodbye… the transfer attempt failed”).

Failed talks and data concerns

Cai said he negotiated with large internet companies, ran pilots and prepared plans, but efforts stalled or were deferred. He also rejected offers from cross‑sector friends and startups, arguing they lacked internet or AI expertise and that taking on the platform would become a burden rather than a solution. It has been reported that some parties attempted to probe whether the domain and user data could be purchased; Cai said he refused, warning that “80 million users’ data, if leaked into grey markets, would be catastrophic.” Reportedly, the platform began seeking a free transfer in January as part of a company business adjustment.

Wider context

For Western readers: this episode sits against a backdrop of tightened Chinese data and cybersecurity rules — including the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) and cybersecurity regulations — which raise the bar for any transfer of large user datasets. It also comes as global scrutiny of data flows and tech decoupling increases the reputational and legal risks of handing sensitive user archives to unclear buyers. Who can be trusted with user data? That question is increasingly central for legacy Chinese internet platforms.

What’s next

The founder’s notice frames the closure as a last resort after exhausting options. The platform’s announcement and Cai’s letter were published via Chinese media channels; the hosting platform also flagged that uploaded multimedia originates from user contributions. Users and observers will now watch how other legacy services navigate asset handovers and data stewardship in an era when regulatory, commercial and geopolitical pressures all shape digital exits.