China blocks Meta's acquisition of AI agent Manus
via Le Matin1 min read
China's National Development and Reform Commission has blocked Meta's acquisition of Manus, an autonomous AI agent developed by the Beijing-based startup Butterfly Effect. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, had announced an agreement to acquire Manus in late December 2025. Analysts had previously warned that regulators might halt the deal. In March, the Financial Times reported that Beijing had prohibited the two co-founders of the Chinese startup from leaving China. The Chinese agency stated in a press release that it had "issued an investment ban decision regarding the acquisition of the Manus project by foreign investors" and "requires the parties concerned to cancel this acquisition operation." Meta responded via email, stating that the transaction was "fully compliant with current law" and that the company expects an "appropriate outcome" to the issue. Manus gained public attention in March 2025 after a demonstration video went viral on social media, and it quickly gained popularity among businesses through an invitation-only access.
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