Thank you for starting this thread and to the person who posted the link to the PDF where it says you don't have to give it. It is important to speak up about privacy and security. If nobody pushes back, anything can be done under the name of security.
I just filled out the form and chose "No SSN." I understand why they want a criminal background check. I'm not a criminal. I have no problem with that. I don't have a common name so they can easily do that without my SSN. They haven't made a case for why they need my SSN so I'm not providing it.
I have a "real" security clearance for my job. For that I had no problem with providing my social. I understand why they needed it. And why they ask a whole slew of other personal questions. But even the United States government (Office of Personal Management) had a data breach in
that space.
I'm a co-volunteer coordinator for the NYC FRC regional. I plan to publicize the "No SSN" option to our volunteers.
As an aside, my state charges $65 for a criminal check on top of the $8 national one.