The Social Security Administration (SSA) has barred employees from accessing news websites, online shopping, and sports pages on government-issued devices, citing security concerns and the need for workplace focus.
On Thursday morning, the SSA announced new restrictions limiting employees' internet access, preventing them from visiting general news sites, online retailers, and sports pages on work-issued devices, according to NBC News.
The restrictions were communicated in an internal email stating that the measures aim to "reduce risk and better protect the sensitive information entrusted to us."
Employees can request exemptions if they require access for work-related duties. The Washington Post first reported the email, and a Social Security spokesperson later confirmed the policy change, emphasizing that employees should focus on their "mission-critical" work.
The move aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce federal agency contracts with news outlets. The decision also comes as Elon Musk and DOGE have criticized the Social Security system, with the Tesla CEO calling it "the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time."
Moving forward, the SSA's policy change could set a precedent for other federal agencies imposing similar online restrictions.
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