Meta has cut operational ties with Manus, a Singapore-based AI agent startup founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, and stopped sharing data with the startup.

The move comes as Meta unwinds its roughly US$2 billion acquisition, after Chinese regulators ordered the deal reversed in April, according to people familiar with the matter.

Since early June, Meta has blocked Manus and its staff from internal systems. Employees were also told to move existing Manus work to Meta’s systems and stop starting new projects on the platform.

The separation follows Meta’s December 2025 deal announcement.

On April 27, China’s National Development and Reform Commission barred foreign investment in Manus.

The decision followed a regulatory review by China’s Ministry of Commerce and other authorities over export controls, technology transfer, and foreign investment rules.

Manus is a general-purpose AI agent launched in March 2025 that automates tasks such as market research, coding, and data analysis.

Manus’ founders are exploring raising about US$1 billion to help finance a buyback, according to people familiar with the matter.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

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