Meta Starts Unwinding $2 Billion Manus Acquisition After Beijing Orders Separation

Meta has begun unwinding its $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus after Beijing ordered the companies to separate on national-security grounds, according to a report. Meta has cut Manus off from its internal systems, stopped data sharing and blocked employees from using Manus tools for internal projects.

Manus’ co-founders have reportedly discussed raising about $1 billion from outside investors to regain control of the startup, potentially through a Chinese joint venture and an eventual Hong Kong listing. The separation comes as Beijing tightens oversight of the wider AI sector by restricting some researchers and executives from traveling abroad and requiring leading AI companies to obtain approval before accepting US investment.