AI startup Manus said that it will resume operating as an independent company and some user data will be deleted as part of its separation from U.S. tech giant Meta. In April, Beijing ordered Meta to unwind its $2 billion-plus acquisition of Manus, as China tightened scrutiny of U.S. investment in Chinese startups developing frontier technologies.
Chinese gaming and internet company Tencent has been in talks to become Manus' largest shareholder.
"As part of our transition back to independent operations and to comply with regulatory requirements in specific jurisdictions, data generated by certain users on/after December 29, 2025" will be deleted later this month, Manus said in a statement.
Affected users will be notified through the Manus app and by email and will be able to back up their data, the company said.
"This is part of our separation from Meta," it said.
According to Reuters, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) had ordered Meta in April to unwind its $2 billion-plus acquisition of Manus, as Beijing tightened scrutiny of US investment in domestic startups developing frontier technologies. The regulator's move highlighted China's commitment to stopping US firms acquiring Chinese AI talent and intellectual property, even as Washington tries to limit Chinese tech firms' access to advanced US chips.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.
