China blocks Meta's $2bn acquisition of AI start-up Manus

China blocks Meta's $2bn acquisition of AI start-up Manus52 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleLiv McMahonTechnology reporterGetty ImagesFacebook-owner Meta's acquisition of AI start-up Manus has been blocked by Chinese regulators.Announced in late December, Meta said the deal - estimated to be worth around $2bn (£1.48bn) at the time - would see Manus' agents used to boost to its own AI across its platforms.But reports on Monday said Beijing's National Development and Reform Commissio... Beijing says domestic tech companies must seek explicit government approval for accepting US investmentBusiness live – latest updatesChina has blocked Meta’s $2bn (£1.5bn) acquisition of an AI startup as it cracks down on US investments in domestic tech companies.Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, announced the acquisition of Manus, a developer of autonomous AI agents, in December.