The Social Security Administration (SSA) has banned reading “general news” websites at work, The Hill has learned.

“Social Security employees should be focused on mission-critical work and serving the American people,” a Social Security spokesperson said in a statement emailed to The Hill on Thursday.

“Therefore, we implemented additional restrictions to the categories of websites prohibited from government-furnished equipment, including online shopping, general news, and sports. Employees may request an exception if they have a business need for job-specific duties,” the spokesperson continued.

NBC News and The Washington Post both reported previously that there was an SSA email discussing employee website bans including for “general news,” which was confirmed by the statement for the agency.

The SSA recently said it was letting employees know about incoming “significant workforce reductions” while it got ready for “agency-wide organizational restructuring” as reports were coming forth on thousands of workers being potentially let go.