In the long run there's likely not much difference. Except there are usually rules and procedures involving a CI. As long as they are following the same rules t

In the long run there's likely not much difference. Except there are usually rules and procedures involving a CI. As long as they are following the same rules then I would imagine the practice would be allowed. It'll just as likely kill the business model if it becomes common knowledge that they search for stuff through your hard drive you thought you deleted and possibly make it public. After all, there are personal security problems with all this. Identity theft being a simple one, having your personal stuff made public is another. Never mind the fact that there have been CIs that just made stuff up to get paid.