&gt; Is there really only &quot;perfect&quot; or &quot;useless&quot; with nothing in-between?<p>Are you suggesting that the ability to completely circumvent a system doesn&#x27;t make that system broken?<p>If the goal of WhatsApp encryption is to protect against surveillance, and there&#x27;s a way to surveil users using WhatsApp, then it&#x27;s broken, full stop.  Are you going to place your trust in a home security system that works pretty well, but only against unskilled burglars?  Or what about an authentication system to a server holding sensitive customer information?  Or your banking information?  Or information that might put your life at risk as a dissident in a repressive state?