The article says that’s being waved as long as you don’t have any continued drug use.

Oh whoa! I didn't see that! Good to hear!

Using, perhaps; dealing, not necessarily.

10 years?? How would they know?

I imagine lying on a federal form is going to be a risky move, especially when going to a spy agency that’s going to do background checks. I’d recommend being honest if you’re interested in this line of work.

This line of work is all about dishonesty. Espionage and spying and dishonesty is the job description.

They can't know.

Also I would argue people in the NSA are less honest then normal despite the background checks.

People with security clearances spill their guts and tell all on their security clearance forms, because not doing so is a felony that the DOJ takes incredibly seriously. People’s most personal and intimate secrets are in those forms.

Never, ever lie or knowingly omit information on a security clearance form. If you tell the truth and you are disqualified, it’s extremely unlikely that information will be used against you. The FBI isn’t going to come after you for doing mushrooms. If you lie to the federal government while trying to obtain a security clearance, they will put you in federal prison.

Unless you're Hilary Clinton or Hunter Biden or Clapper lying before congress etc etc etc.

The us government is fatally corrupt, and anyone who 'trusts'the fbi to do or not do something has a child like innocence, wholly ignornant of history, even recent history.

Shine on HN, there certainly is no pro government propaganda you wont shy away from amplifying. Morally bankrupt yet I'll be the one flagged into the ground, pathetic.

What kind of person would even want to falsify/lie throughout the clearance process. It's such a long and arduous process and the payoff is basically nothing. If it's actually an illegal trying to get into the system, they'd be better off going into politics where you gain automatic 'need to know' and have no repercussions for lying.

Better yet: omit 100% of the information on the security clearance form and never fill one out.

It is more than a risky move. It can carry up to five years in prison. The statute governing this has been enforced in the past in some relatively unfair ways (getting past job details incorrect on the application).

The forms are just materials they lean on during your security interviews. They kind of want you to lie about something to give them fodder to yell/break you. You're not going to prison for lying on your SF86. The polygraph hasn't even caught a traitor, they're all tools for breaking people

I've been interviewed by the DOD for friends and coworkers to obtain security clearance. They ask all sorts of questions.

I was surprised when I learned that you need to give your ID if you want to be marijuana in California. The government probably knows if you smoked.

Every marijuana seller, “legit” or not is breaking numerous federal laws. If the Feds are interested in you, your drug dealer will happily give them whatever they need.

Same in Hawaii, at one point they tried to use this as a tool to blanket confiscate guns from people who medicinally consumed the devil's lettuce.

If the position requires a Top Secret clearance (as many of them do), the background check is quite extensive. Expect your family, neighbors, former colleagues, college roommates, etc to get knocks on the door from guys in suits that will ask them questions.

Are you serious? You think they'd knock on someone's door and start asking questions? And why would people even agree to talk to them? Especially relatives and friends.

...yes. that's exactly what they do.

Strange. Unless forced I would not discuss my friends / relatives with some weirdos. Not in my job description.

Ok, it sounds like you're not working a job relevant to national security?

Google/etc doesn't care who you are as long as you can make them profits - bad person, good person, etc. I'm glad to see that at least the government takes seriously the matter of who influences the system with so much power.

>"Ok, it sounds like you're not working a job relevant to national security?"

Nope. Never wanted to work in such areas. Prefer normal life.

>"...who influences the system with so much power."

You mean someone who uses private email server, keeps classified docs in wrong places (how is it even possible), says that it is all Russia's fault that Trump wins etc. etc. Yeah I feel so much safer.

You mean a system that has: - Executed US citizens, including children, without a trial - Operates and/or assists the operation of torture facilities in multiple countries and - Conducts mass surveillance without a warrant. Yes, it’s definitely a system that is picking effective people who will help further the goals of those in power without doubts.

In this case it wouldn't be 'some weirdos', it'd probably be US federal employees.

You'd be within your legal rights to turn them away, of course, but I also feel that it's easier to imagine doing that when one doesn't have three armed suits standing on the porch. I think the vast, vast majority of Americans would prefer just answering a couple questions about their neighbour as opposed to willingly putting themselves on the radar.

I'm not sure how much you've dealt with the feds, but in my experience they're not the kind of folks that like hearing "go away, I refuse to answer your questions."

>"I'm not sure how much you've dealt with the feds, but in my experience they're not the kind of folks that like hearing "go away, I refuse to answer your questions."

So you are telling that one can be harassed / threatened for unwillingness to discuss their friend's / relative's? Very nice. How about "we are a nation of laws"?

I was a reference for a friend in college that applied to intern at the CIA. I had someone in my dorm room asking me questions and there questions related to drug use.

My friend barely drank alcohol and never used illegal drugs, but the interviewer pressed a few times even saying things like “come on, not even once? everyone does in college”

As for why I agreed to talk? He wanted the position, so I was glad to help if I could.

In some cases yes, although depending on the clearance they might be ok with phone calls. In general relatives and friends are going to try and help their relative/friend get the job.

>"In general relatives and friends are going to try and help their relative/friend get the job."

If friend / relative warned / asked for it then sure.

Hair tests can go back very far depending on how long your hair is

Damn, anyone knows a hair removal agency ? I i mean all hair. /s

Security clearances often involve polygraph tests. On top of that they will interview a ton of people you know. So not only do you have to commit a federal crime to cover it up and learn how to fool a polygraph, you also have to convince a bunch of people that know you to commit a federal crime for you.

Polygraph tests are inaccurate pseudoscience that do not work.

Polygraph

> but idk how many FAANG employees wokld be eligible due to Drug Testing or Marijuana requirements (if you smoked within the last 10 years, you're ineligible).

Large numbers of adults have either never smoked, or have not smoked within a decade.

Marijuana use is common, but it's not 100% ubiquitous. It only feels like that when you're in certain social bubbles.

The illegal restriction will definitely reduce the number of applicants, but it's not as severe as you're implying. The number of "boring" adults who work in Big Tech is quite high.

says >"...a strict 40 hours and work doesn't come back home..."<

It is unlikely anyone will throw out an eager beaver working voluntary overtime. Plenty of stories about this in both private and government organizations.

How extensive are the other background checks they perform (information seeking behavior online, contacting elementary school teachers, neighbors, etc.)?

Depends on the level of clearance you're going for. TS/SCI w/ Full-Scope Polygraph (the highest intelligence community level) covers the last 10 years, with a heavy emphasis on your activities in the last 5. They'll interview friends, employers, teachers, neighbors, etc. going back 5 years (but you get to pick the ones to be interviewed). They'll also run FBI background checks on you and your family (including extended family) and you'll be required to turn in financial info annually.