Informer

An informer is a person who provides information to another person or organization about events, circumstances, or wrongdoing. In law enforcement, informers often supply details about criminal activity, suspects, or networks, sometimes in exchange for immunity, protection, or a financial reward. The term can be neutral in some contexts, but it is commonly associated with betrayal or disloyalty in everyday language.

Informers may act voluntarily or under pressure, and the reliability of information varies. Legal frameworks in many jurisdictions recognize confidential reporting and may include programs to protect identities or compensate informers. The use of informers raises ethical issues such as safety risks for the informant, the potential for misinformation, and impacts on individuals or communities who are reported.

In research and ethnography, the term informant is preferred for a person who provides information about a culture, language, or community, while informer is sometimes used for people who reveal information to authorities and carries stronger connotations of betrayal.

The term has appeared as a title in media, most notably the 1993 song “Informer” by Snow, which popularized the term in popular culture. It has been used in other works and discussions, reflecting its association with the act of providing information under varying pressures and purposes.