Informant (1)Full unit name: InformantLast updated: 13.07.2024 2:17:27Version: 8.02.002.2024.01.13
Summary
An informant was a person who provided information about a person, organization, or event to an agency or other employer - such as an information broker
, usually for a fee. Informants tried to keep their activities secret to avoid complications with those about whom they had information, since the information they provided was often confidential. Informants could be hired to gather specific information, or they could offer the information they had to someone they thought would be willing to pay for it.Being an informant was a risky business, and informants were often subject to retaliation if their involvement became public knowledge.