I agree. I doubt that they could mean causally indirect. I think it must mean something like: not used in accordance to their the engineer's intent, especially

I agree. I doubt that they could mean causally indirect. I think it must mean something like: not used in accordance to their the engineer's intent, especially when that intent covers a a general affordance (e.g. affords communication over long distances), but is being judged for a more specific affordance (affords communication over long distances to order a terror attack). I dunno. I'd have to be a philosopher to work it out.