is just one example provided to cnn of the information gathered under a contract that was supposed to have information collected only using what is known as open-source methods. contractors were to learn more about afghan tribes, warlords, and communities through local media, public meetings, and talking to citizens. but the cia station chief in kabul complained that the pentagon contractors were illegally running an unofficial spy ring. >> i really don't know enough about the details relating to the -- to contractors collecting intelligence on the battlefield. quite frankly, in principle, i would have concerns about that. >> reporter: former intelligence official thomas fingar, says there's a different between open source and spying. >> depending on exactly what contractors or anybody else was