If there was widespread snooping, it would imply either WhatsApp collaboration or compromise, in which case the app could show whatever they wanted it to show (

If there was widespread snooping, it would imply either WhatsApp collaboration or compromise, in which case the app could show whatever they wanted it to show (or they could just upload all of the private keys, which they may very well do in any case). However I was talking about QR code versus the widely known fingerprint. The EFF seems to think the QR code is just a huge improvement, but I just don't think it will see any usage at all over the fingerprint, but instead it provides the illusion of security ala "look there's this complex thing...and some people must be validating it...so I'll just trust it."