Full Breakdown
Manus Resumes Independent Operations After Meta Deal Collapse
9/2/2026, 12:40:45 AM
Regulatory Block and Deal Termination
In April, China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced that the foreign-investment security review authority had ordered the revocation of Meta Platforms’ acquisition of Manus, a Chinese-founded AI-agent startup. The decision, issued on April 27, cited compliance with Chinese laws and regulations. Meta had announced the purchase on December 29, 2025 for roughly $2 billion, a figure reported by Reuters; earlier reporting placed the valuation between $2 billion and $3 billion. The regulatory action effectively ended the transaction and set a precedent for cross-border deals involving Chinese tech firms.
Manus Returns to Independent Operation
On Tuesday, Manus confirmed that it had formally resumed independent operations, describing the move as the start of a “next chapter.” The company’s founding team will continue to lead Manus as an “independent agent lab.” The announcement follows an August 11 notice that some users would need to back up and restore data during the transition. Manus also indicated that data generated on or after December 29 was erased to meet regulatory requirements in certain jurisdictions, and that affected users can recover their information through a restoration portal.
Impact on Users and Data Restoration
The data-erasure step required users to back up and later restore their files, causing temporary access disruptions. Manus emphasized that there is no deadline for recovery and that the restoration portal remains available. The company expressed gratitude for users’ patience, noting that the transition demanded additional time and effort.
Official Reactions and Industry Implications
Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said the government supports cross-border operations and technological cooperation when they comply with Chinese laws and statutory procedures. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated on April 28 that investment reviews are conducted in accordance with legal frameworks, stressing that the regulatory approach applies uniformly and is not targeted at any specific country or company. Industry analysts interpret the move as a broader effort to safeguard economic security and market order while allowing foreign investment under clear legal conditions.
