FiL wants all our data

[HighlandCowSaysBooNotMoo]

My father in law works in a government role.
Today he put a message in the family WhatsApp group asking if we could send him our addresses, d.o.bs, mothers maiden names, our place of birth, our address history, previous maiden names etc.
Apparently he needs this info from his 4 adult children, their spouses (me included) , his own siblings and his siblings spouses, grandchildren, his in laws etc. Basically he is covering every member of the family and spouses etc over the age of 18.
He has put something light hearted about it being needed for an enhanced security check that he's been told he needs for his job.
He is not changing jobs or position in the company. He has been in this job for since my husband was a wee kid!!
A couple of people have responded straight away with their data.
DH says IABU not to share mine with his dad
What do I do?

It can't be a very security sensitive role. My understanding is if it were, you'd not know about security checks.

I think there's an element of grandstanding going on.

You do have a right to privacy. You can say no.

i have had to do the same. It’s a nightmare when you have step siblings as you have to provide all their info too.

After seeing how many times my local council has lost or sent the wrong info to the wrong people and how many laptops are ‘left on trains’ I’d be very cautious to give it to any agency.

My Son-il needed clearance but the government concerned did it without asking him. There would have been three countries in the mix.
Bit weird, people don’t let on about these things, do they? Showing off or controlling.

I think if you have any concerns about handing over the data, FIL should be ringing you to explain and reassure you, without giving away anything about the project.

He is doing an enhanced dbs

has he asked for 2 forms of ID/ proof of address?

The government are capable of getting it themselves and generally do.

I would be reluctant to hand it over.

We had to do this for my son when he applied for a high security job with the government. They screen applicants close family but I didn’t think it was every member so I’d ask him to clarify that.

Edited - after reading the post from @SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth it’s made me realise it must be people who live at the applicants home address because myself and my husband were the only ones who had to do it, not siblings

I haven’t read the entire thread, so apologies if this has already been raised. I was told that the vetting process is not a one-off thing, it’s repeated after a certain period of time. Not that I’m in a hush-hush job or anything. A relative of my ex told me.

I’ve had to do this for my civil service job, and previously (much more vigorously) for a job in the police. It’s not at all unusual.

Definitely normal for some government jobs. I've had to do it. My family and partners family had to be interviewed. They asked if I ever had done drugs or anything illegal. Hilarious.

One of my housemates from university ended up working for (I assume) the security services and I was contacted out of the blue to be "interviewed" I was told it would be quick but 2 men in black suits came to my home and quizzed me for an hour about my relationship with him, how I knew him, what I knew about him, what his attitude was to money, how much he drunk, did he do drugs, what I knew about his family, what I knew about is associates, his hobbies, where he went on holiday ... and on and on... honestly I thought they were going to ask me what toothpaste he used.. and yes they wanted to know quite a lot about me too!!

It was really interesting actually.

I wouldn't give the information he asks for on Whatsapp but agree to write it down on a piece of paper for him - unless you've got something to hide that is???

PS I did check with him that it was legit before sharing his intimate secrets with the men in black

I would say you are entitled to a bit of a more in depth explanation as to why he needs it and what is going to be done with it.

I have a good friend who is very senior in the US Services, before covid sometime he forewarned me all of his regular contacts would be security checked as part of their form of DV

I was duly contacted by one of the agencies, CIA I think, and had to fill in a form, I was asked to let my employers know they might contact them (they didn't)

That was it, but I was contacted by the security clearance agency, so i knew it was genuine, not the person applying, but it could be different here.

This. I worked high up for the Mod 20 plus years ago on a research project - they went through everyone it was basically to look at possible blackmail threats etc and I had to list things people important to me - even my dog. Neighbours were asked questions and I didn’t have any social media in those days but equally had to declare all emails, memberships of my church etc and yes the date of my last smear etc (for the medical) it was rough but yes, they put you through a search engine. I wouldn’t ask via WA though I’d phone and ask!

Quite standard for some government jobs where certain levels of clearance are required. It's the kind of thing that has to be renewed and perhaps the requirements have changed, or he needs a higher level than previously so never needed to ask for this before.

You fill out the form yourself and submit the data via your employer, then the relevant agencies conduct their checks. You being difficult about it could limit his ability to do his job. Consider that he may not be able to talk openly about the specifics of why he needs it.

I would not be handing over any private, sensitive information whatsoever.

No the employee is expected to provide the information for the employer to check! My BIL had to do this and me and my husband had to give our details as did my brother, SIL and parents. It’s a high level security check and it’s likely because he’s working on a new project that requires it. I wouldn’t be concerned it’s not like he’s asking for your bank details!!

Sounds like security vetting to me, even management vetting within most gov / emergency services require this info. Totally normal for vetting.

@HighlandCowSaysBooNotMoo just Google security vetting

I had to do the same thing, I tell you it was a complete ball ache to do and takes months to be processed, but I confirm it is the individual applying that has to complete all of that information on an online vetting form. I had been in the same role for some time before doing it but my role meant that I could have access to government classified information following the awards of some new contracts to the company I was working for. It's a genuine thing.

My son in law has recently moved into the Civil Service and this is standard - my details were required, my partner’s and her three adult offspring and their spouses - a nuisance but nothing sinister.

FGS - this is entirely normal! I can’t stress enough ENTIRELY NORMAL for enhanced vetting. You might not thinks he’s changed role, but he needs to be given access to information of a classification higher than what he’s been doing and that requires an enhanced background check. Yes it includes all his family, name changes the lot. JFDI.

This is completely standard.

and if you won’t give them your address how would they contact you.

do you have reason to be so suspicious of your father in law?

This is standard for some jobs, I’ve known several people who’ve gone through this mid management so not even super senior(GCHQ, FCA and my friend who’s BF was MOD her whole family were interviewed). I imagine he gives the info they vet and they well come back and contact direct if there red flags. Why are you concerned? It’s only factual stuff