Apple will not be required to provide an encryption backdoor in the UK, easing concerns about weakened privacy and security safeguards. The announcement was made by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on social media late Monday evening.

The UK has dropped efforts to force Apple Inc. to open a so-called backdoor to US users’ data, removing a point of contention between the two sides as they seek to finalize a broader trade deal.

Britain has dropped its request for access to Apple users' encrypted data, which had created friction between London and Washington, US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard said Tuesday.