Meta Platforms is moving ahead with the integration of artificial intelligence startup Manus, despite an ongoing Chinese government review of the roughly $2 billion acquisition, according to sources cited by the South China Morning Post.
Employees from Manus’ Singapore office have reportedly begun working from Meta facilities and were granted internal access, while Meta has encouraged staff transfers to the startup, favoring Chinese-speaking employees.
Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe https://t.co/TBkvFfjhDB
— South China Morning Post (@SCMPNews) February 26, 2026
Manus’ technology has already been embedded into Meta’s Ads Manager, offering advertisers automated analytics and optimization tools.
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced a review of the deal in January, citing concerns over technology exports and overseas investments. Officials have not provided updates.
The probe reflects Beijing’s broader effort to retain strategic AI capabilities as companies move operations abroad. Manus relocated from China to Singapore last year after rising to prominence with a general AI agent product.
The merger highlights growing friction between U.S. and Chinese rules governing advanced technology and capital flows.
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TIPP Staff
