Edward Snowden joins Twitter - and starts following the NSA

The whistleblower's presence caused quite a stir on social media

Snowden is living in Russia (Reuters)

The fugitive contractor Edward Snowden has finally joined Twitter over two years after fleeing the US.

The only person Snowden is following so far is the National Security Agency’s official account.

Snowden went on the run after leaking classified documents exposing the extent of the US Government’s internet and phone surveillance, becoming arguably the world’s most famous whistleblower. He claimed asylum in Russia, where he continues to reside today.

His first tweet, the ominous “can you hear me now?”, has already been shared over 9,000 times.

The US has charged Snowden with theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information and willful communication of classified communications intelligence - all of which carry maximum 10-year prison sentences.

His Twitter bio provides a concise summary of his protracted situation: “I used to work for the government. Now I work for the public.“ He is listed as director of Freedom of the Press, a foundation dedicated to ensuring transparency in journalism in adverse situations.