Manus announced that it will resume operations as an independent company, four months after China blocked the acquisition of artificial intelligence startup (IA) by North American technology Meta.
© Lusa
12/08/2026
by
Lusa
Na message to users, Manus stated that as part of the process of resuming the autonomous operation, it will eliminate some user data to meet regulatory requirements in certain jurisdictions.
The notice, quoted by the Chinese business publication Yicai on Tuesday, specifies that data generated by certain users since December 29, 2025 will be deleted between August 23 and 24.
The missive urged affected users to back up data before August 23.
In December, Meta had announced the acquisition of Manus, a Chinese-based artificial intelligence company based in Singapore, for two billion dollars (€1.7 billion), in an unusual move by a major technology company in the United States over a China-related company.
Manus develops general-purpose artificial intelligence agents capable of performing complex tasks autonomously, and the operation aimed to strengthen the offer of Meta AI on its platforms.
But in April China blocked the deal, invoking foreign investment security rules.
In a brief note, the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission indicated that it banned the operation and demanded the parties involved to abandon the business, not to mention directly Meta, Facebook owner and Instagram.
The decision was taken by the foreign investment safety review mechanism under Chinese law after the authorities announced at the beginning of the year that they were examining the case.
The US company had ensured that there would be no remaining Chinese participation in Manus and that it would cease operations in China.
Nevertheless, the Chinese Ministry of Trade warned in January that operations involving external investment, technology export, data transfer and cross-border acquisitions must comply with national legislation.
On July 1, China implemented a new regulation that strengthens control over investments abroad and technology transfer to other countries.
While the text recognizes investors the “right to take independent decisions and take their own risks”, it also warns them of the need to “not endanger China’s national security or harm national interests.”.
One of the main points of the new regulation is the prohibition of indirect transfer of technology or data abroad by sending technical staff to other countries, as well as through technical assistance or cross-border training programmes.