Chinese AI Startup Manus Resumes Independence as Meta Deal Unravels
Synopsis
Manus will return to independent operations after China ordered Meta to unwind its more than US$2 billion acquisition, with some user data generated since December 2025 set to be deleted as part of the separation.
Key Highlights
- AI startup Manus will continue as an independent company.
- Certain user data from December 29, 2025, will be removed later this month.
- Notifying users who may have been affected and facilitating backup of their data.
- The decision comes after Meta unwound its more than $2 billion purchase of Manus.
AI startup Manus announced on Tuesday that it will resume as an independent company, shedding its ties with U.S. tech giant Meta which has owned the company since 2017.
Some user data created on or after 29 December 2025 will be deleted later in the month as part of this transition, and to comply with legal obligations in certain nations, the company said.
Users who are affected will be notified via the Manus app and email. The opportunity to backup their data before it is actually deleted. The deletion is part of Manus’ separation from Meta, Manus told CNBC.
In April, China stepped up oversight of U.S. investments in Chinese startups building sophisticated technology and told Meta to divest its more than $2 billion purchase of Manus. The world's largest gaming and internet company based in China Tencent has held discussions to become Manus' effective largest shareholder, Reuters said on July 10.
source: Reuters
At Inspirepreneurs Magazine, covering entrepreneurship, business failures, and the human stories behind the world's most ambitious founders. She writes at the intersection of strategy and storytelling.
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