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?

Name, address, maiden name and date of birth? You wouldn’t give that to your father in law? Surely you hand over that information regularly?
have you ever been vetted to work with children, or applied for a job or a driving licence?

I had to provide this information (and more) when my brother started a role within the MoD. He stayed with them for 30 years but I never had to provide any additional data within that time. So it does sound like standard vetting protocol, but no idea why if FIL's job/role or department hasn't changed?

He could find the information easily enough if he really wanted.
its hardly personal information….it’s basic info. Not sure why you’re so bothered to be honest

@HighlandCowSaysBooNotMoo it's really not that intrusive a request, this info isn't particularly secret. I think if someone wanted it for nefarious purposes they'd probably be able to find it on social media for a lot of people. When collating for this many family it's easier just to ask them. He is also being upfront by telling you he is collecting it. The vetting process isn't quick and this is just the first part, help the guy out! You say he's in the same role but it's very possible his work has changed. It's also very possible he did this 7 years ago and is now renewing clearance. It really doesn't sound like you should be concerned though.

I'm retired government worker. We had to provide this information for Security Clearances. It's legit.

It’s the previous addresses that are the killer. I have done this - and been checked for family.

people here are so suspicious- it is really very routine.

OP must really think her father in law is a cretin or a criminal to be suspicious of such a routine request. Must be awful to have to be so suspicious of a family member - dreadful way to live.

I voted yanbu as I wouldn't give out such personal info via WhatsApp. However, this sort of information does get checked for government roles. I'm not sure why they would be asking this if him now though if he's been in his role for many years unless it's new anti terrorism laws or something.

I have an enhanced dbs. I have for years as work with newborns /children

I have never had to give my mums maiden name

This is normal as others have said. Sometimes security clearance will expire, or may need to be increased depending on the project you work on.

It's the applicant (ie your FIL) who is required to compile the information and yes, some clearances need war and peace on everyone you've ever said hello to in the supermarket.

There is nothing weird or shady about this, and any information you provide will be stored securely.

No, the employee has to fill out tons of paperwork providing all that information. When submitted investigators will checkout the information. They talk to your supervisor and others from your list. If high security they will even talk to your neighbors.

enhanced data checks are required in certain roles to show that civil servants aren’t taking bribes or at risk of being blackmailed. It’s required to ensure there’s no corruption. Please do it.

I work in a government job - everyone is having to suddenly go for enhanced security checks. My other half is and he’s been there 20 years. It’s mandatory for everyone in certain positions.

Standard questions for vetting. When I was vetted for a police staff role I had to ask close relatives for all this info and submit it on the form. You could ask if you can submit it directly to vetting rather than give it to him. Do you think he’s going to use it to take out credit or something dodgy? You’re. To giving it to a random

oh for goodness sake
I had to give my background information and that of my family to marry a soldier back in the day - get over yourself!

This is bog standard for security clearance. Vetting often only lasts a certain period of time before it is redone and it is not unusual if you change employers or need a different level of clearance it has to be redone.

I would be more happy if he rang and asked for the information with an explanation as to why he needed it. How is he wanting the information sent ?

This is normal. My brother had to do the same. It’s really not that intrusive…not sure why it’s such a big deal.

That first sentence isn’t true. DV is the same process for everyone, and everyone fills in the same forms about their family, whether you’re an admin assistant at GCHQ or the Head of MI5.

Yes you have a right to privacy, but if your FIL fails to provide full information it will affect his chances of getting his clearance.

And where does he want the info sending to ?

This is exactly the experience we've had several times and it's legitimately the way it is done. It's not a DBS or a standard background check. Sounds like DV or eDV for information classed as 'Top Secret' (not just on James bond!). If the information you work with is a risk to national security they need to vet anyone who is close to you, you dont get a say in this. They do ask you to supply this information yourself. There is no data base which says who your house mate was 2 years ago or who your ex partner from 5 years ago was, or the person you dated but never married, or your sons latest live in partner or the person whose staying in your spare room since their house was flooded but they need to know this information for the security of us all. My brother even had to supply the details of his girlfriend who we had never met before because he lived with her at the time. He will have to supply as many of your details as he can regardless of whether you agree to supply any. You will be checked as part of DV or eDV whether you like it or not. National Security trumps individual rights.

work for the civil service and this is very common. Depending on his type of role it's needed for a higher secretory clearance. He probably already had clearance many years ago but to access more access for information or for project as others have mentioned.

I see why you wouldn't want to supply and it seems a bit off to me too but it's normal. Perhaps can message him the info privately instead of a group chat.

I worked for a government agency and had to provide data from my parents and grandparents. I did tell them that I was adopted and they contacted me and asked if I could give details of my biological parents. I gave the name of my birth mother from my birth cert and that father was ‘unknown’ and they asked me to contact birth mother. I said that I was not prepared to do that as I have never had a desire to contact, never met her, she’s just a name on a bit of paper.
They, in the end, decided to go with my adoptive parents as since being born, then dumped, the birth mother had never seen me.

The form also asked if any of my grandparents had been involved with the Nazi Party. It was a bit of an eye opener to be honest. Some government jobs really do want the ins and outs of family life.

As you point out, for the UK all of the information requested is available to anyone that cares to look for it, on Ancestry and several other sites, often free of charge. This is because Birth/Death & Marriage information in the UK isn't "sensitive personal data" it is a mater of public record. All refusing to supply it does is delay the whole process, which benefits nobody

Maybe surprising family with a holiday that you need a visa to enter the county?

Active recruitment is different. They know.