Edward Snowden, the former CIA employee and government contractor turned whistleblower, joined Twitter yesterday – and immediately put his dry sense of humour to good use. Who, you may ask, did the man responsible for exposing America's Big Brother follow first? Well, the NSA of course. Seems only fair - if they're going to follow him...
Snowden, whose Twitter bio reads “I used to work for the government. Now I work for the public” sent out his first tweet, parodying a Verizon catchphrase by "innocently" asking "Can you hear me now?” Of course they can, Snowden. They can hear all of us. That's the problem.
Snowden immediately amassed nearly one million followers, including Neil DeGrasse Tyson, with whom he shared some banter after DeGrasse Tyson welcomed Snowden to Twitter. "Thanks for the welcome," Snowden replied. "And now we've got water on Mars! Do you think they check passports at the border? Asking for a friend."
Sure you are, Snowden. Sure you are.