Authorities in Beijing have issued a security directive banning the founding team of the AI startup Manus from traveling outside China, retaining their travel documents to conduct in-depth investigations into data security.
This strict measure was enacted immediately following the announcement by the US-based Meta of its intention to purchase the Chinese startup for $2 billion. The Chinese government considers the autonomous AI algorithms developed by Manus a national technological asset, the export or transfer of which to foreign entities is prohibited without complex security clearances.
This ban exemplifies the escalating pace of the technological cold war between the United States and China. Beijing is acting forcefully to prevent American companies from accessing advanced Chinese databases and technologies, a move that could deal a fatal blow to the future of this multibillion-dollar deal.
