Chinese regulators have blocked Meta's proposed $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus, according to reports confirmed by multiple news outlets on April 28, 2026. The deal, announced in late December 2025, would have seen Manus' AI agents integrated into Meta's platforms.
The decision was made by China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) under national security review laws. No official statement has been released by SAMR, but sources familiar with the matter confirmed the block to Reuters and other major media.
Meta had planned to use Manus' technology to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly in developing autonomous AI agents for tasks like scheduling and data analysis. The acquisition was seen as a key part of Meta's strategy to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Google.
This is not the first time China has blocked a major tech acquisition. In recent years, Beijing has tightened scrutiny over foreign investments in AI and other sensitive technologies, citing data security and national sovereignty concerns.
Neither Meta nor Manus have publicly commented on the block as of April 28, 2026. The move is expected to impact Meta's AI development timeline in the region.
