It could be either depending on the person and how they came into possession of the information. Government officials likely have statutory duties prohibiting

It could be either depending on the person and how they came into possession of the information. Government officials likely have statutory duties prohibiting the disclosure of confidential information learned during the course of their duties (hence possibility of corruption once you start offering money), while others who are not strictly government officials may have signed the equivalent of a binding NDA and be under a relevant contractual obligation. A person who is neither an official nor a contractor but who nevertheless received the information knowing it was confidential and that it ought to be kept confidential might also be held by a court to be subject to an equitable obligation of confidence, which is different again.