Manus's actions on user data during the transition

Manus told users that, as part of separating from Meta and complying with Beijing's order, some user data will be deleted . Specifically:

• Data created by users after the deal was announced (i.e., during the period Manus operated under Meta ownership) may be affected .
• Manus advised affected users to back up their data before the separation; after the split, they will need to restore that data .
• The company noted its user data is stored in Singapore and the U.S. .

The data deletion and operational separation are designed to ensure no Chinese user or technology data remains accessible to Meta post-divestiture .

Key background on Manus — founding, operations, and history

• Founded: 2022 in Beijing, China, by entrepreneur Xiao Hong (CEO), along with co-founders Ji Yichao (Chief Scientist) and Tao Zhang . Xiao Hong previously built WeChat productivity tools; Ji Yichao has a background in AI research .
• Company entity: Butterfly Effect Pte. Ltd., the developer behind Manus .
• Relocation: Manus moved its headquarters to Singapore in early 2025, before the Meta acquisition was announced .
• Product: Manus is a general-purpose autonomous AI agent — launched publicly in March 2025, it allows users to assign complex tasks to an AI that can execute them independently (often called "agentic AI") .
• Growth: The startup achieved $100 million in annualized recurring revenue (ARR) within 8 months of launch — reportedly faster than any startup in history .
• Acquisition by Meta: Announced in December 2025, Meta said it would acquire Manus for an estimated $2 billion to $3 billion to integrate Manus's agent technology into its platforms .
• Post-collapse plans: Manus's founders are reportedly trying to raise $1 billion for a buyback to regain full control of the company .

Manus's actions on user data during the transition

Manus told users that, as part of separating from Meta and complying with Beijing's order, some user data will be deleted . Specifically:

• Data created by users after the deal was announced (i.e., during the period Manus operated under Meta ownership) may be affected .
• Manus advised affected users to back up their data before the separation; after the split, they will need to restore that data .
• The company noted its user data is stored in Singapore and the U.S. .

The data deletion and operational separation are designed to ensure no Chinese user or technology data remains accessible to Meta post-divestiture .

Key background on Manus — founding, operations, and history

• Founded: 2022 in Beijing, China, by entrepreneur Xiao Hong (CEO), along with co-founders Ji Yichao (Chief Scientist) and Tao Zhang . Xiao Hong previously built WeChat productivity tools; Ji Yichao has a background in AI research .
• Company entity: Butterfly Effect Pte. Ltd., the developer behind Manus .
• Relocation: Manus moved its headquarters to Singapore in early 2025, before the Meta acquisition was announced .
• Product: Manus is a general-purpose autonomous AI agent — launched publicly in March 2025, it allows users to assign complex tasks to an AI that can execute them independently (often called "agentic AI") .
• Growth: The startup achieved $100 million in annualized recurring revenue (ARR) within 8 months of launch — reportedly faster than any startup in history .
• Acquisition by Meta: Announced in December 2025, Meta said it would acquire Manus for an estimated $2 billion to $3 billion to integrate Manus's agent technology into its platforms .
• Post-collapse plans: Manus's founders are reportedly trying to raise $1 billion for a buyback to regain full control of the company .