China's Ministry of Commerce has launched an investigation into Meta's proposed acquisition of AI platform Manus, sparking global tech industry attention. The deal involves a 'general-purpose AI agent' capable of human-like digital task management – technology that could reshape how we interact with machines. 🔍
Ministry spokesperson He Yadong stated Thursday: 'Chinese companies expanding globally must strictly comply with domestic regulations.' While supporting international tech cooperation, officials emphasized rigorous enforcement of laws governing data transfers and technology exports. 🚨
The probe focuses on whether Meta's acquisition meets China's updated (2025) investment review standards and cross-border data security protocols. This comes as Beijing strengthens oversight of AI development following last year's Global Digital Governance Summit commitments. 💻🌐
Tech analysts suggest the investigation reflects growing scrutiny of 'agentic AI' systems that operate autonomously. As Meta pushes to expand its AI capabilities, this case could set precedents for future cross-border tech acquisitions in sensitive fields. ⚖️
