What's the difference between spy and informant? (illegal, government, state)

[McGowdog]

I'm just so glad the question is being asked?

Crammed unfortunately in some cases.

But seriously. What is an informant?

Is an informant like a fink?

Let's go wiki...

... Lindsey Graham says no, Clapper says yes.

I'm still confused.

What say you?

[phma]

I say the bad actors in gov. were caught with their hand in the cookie jar and are doing everything to cover it up. They just can't get their lies straight. It may be the one thing Adam BullSchiff won't leak.

[shiftymh]

An informant already exists in some organization, a spy infiltrates it.

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by shiftymh

An informant already exists in some organization, a spy infiltrates it.

Yeah, but would some folks call a spy an informant to make it sound better, like with ummm, say, political purposes?

[don1945]

A spy is a designated plant, put in place intentionally to report any information that they see, to whoever employed them.


An informant is an informal person who sees something and who either goes to the authorities because they are either bothered by it, or because they might receive some compensation or favors.


To make it even more simple, James Bond was a spy. Bill at the factory sees someone doing something illegal, and he feels compelled to tell someone because he feels it is wrong, and it bothers his morals.

[randomparent]

Originally Posted by McGowdog

Yeah, but would some folks call a spy an informant to make it sound better, like with ummm, say, political purposes?

Sure, and the opposite is true, too. I guess the question is, who do YOU believe?

[burdell]

Originally Posted by McGowdog

Yeah, but would some folks call a spy an informant to make it sound better, like with ummm, say, political purposes?

Some con-men would call an informant a spy in a pathetic search for sympathy they don't deserve.

[ditchoc]

A spy is typically an agent of one government trying to uncover state secrets of another government. An informant is simply some one that knows something and is willing to share that information with you.

[rebeldor]

Doesn't matter. Anyone who works for the State is a rat.

[TimAZ]

Oh come on, the difference between spy and informant is as obvious as the difference between is and "is".

Yes, they think we're that stupid.