Meta has started to unwind its $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Chinese-founded AI startup, by completing an operational separation and halting data sharing between the two companies.
This move comes after Beijing issued a divestiture order roughly two months ago on national security grounds, underscoring China's determination to retain control over strategically sensitive technology.
The co-founders of Manus have held discussions about raising $1 billion from outside investors to reclaim the startup from Meta, which could lead to a Chinese joint venture structure and a listing in Hong Kong.
