This week on AI: DOJ drops court order, Apple ships iPhone SE & 9.7" iPad Pro, iOS 9.3.1 fixes critical Web link bug

By Roger Fingas

Apple's confrontation with the U.S. government over encryption took a major twist, thanks to the Justice Department officially withdrawing its court order. Later in the week, Apple shipped the iPhone SE and 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and fixed a critical bug via iOS 9.3.1.

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A roundup of all of our hottest stories this week:

DOJ confirms successful iPhone data extraction, withdraws encryption case against Apple [u]FBI agrees to help crack iPhone 6 and iPod tied to Arkansas murder trial, but method unknownApple Supplier Responsibility 2016 Progress Report reveals 97% work-hour compliance, carbon emissions reductionsApple releases iOS 9.3.1 to fix Web link crashing bugApple's second wave of 9.7" iPad Pro & iPhone SE launches to start April 4As FBI's iPhone exploit remains secret, Apple's security operation in transitionApple begins collecting ResearchKit data to further platform integrationApple's Siri updated to understand sexual assault queries, provide helpTesla's unveils more affordable Model 3, gives glimpse at Apple's future auto competition