CIA takes to Twitter, with an unexpected twist of humour
WHO let the CIA on Twitter? The secret spy agency has embraced social media and opened up about our most compelling questions.
WHO let the CIA on Twitter? After just one month on the job, the clandestine spy agency’s special social media agent has embraced the spirit of the moment. And spilt a few beans.
The sleuthing business isn’t all about bombs, codes and compromising photos.
Nor intelligence, for that matter.
In the case of the CIA, it also seems to be about entertainment.
Perhaps it’s because rival NSA’s Edward Snowden has been getting all the attention lately. Or perhaps the Cold War has well and truly lost its chill.
We can neither confirm nor deny that this is our first tweet.
— CIA (@CIA) June 6, 2014So, to celebrate one month on Twitter (Twitter started in 2006 — perhaps they didn’t notice), the CIA decided to throw its inbox open to public questions.
Here’s how the session unfolded:
Thanks for making our first month on @Twitter great! Today we take 10 mins to answer 5 of the top questions you’ve asked. #twitterversary
— CIA (@CIA) July 7, 2014First up, a curve-ball. (It really should have been directed at the NSA — the CIA is more about the spies that loved you)
No, we don’t know your password, so we can’t send it to you. #sorrynotsorry #twitterversary
— CIA (@CIA) July 7, 2014Then, after the usual recruitment drive, there’s this tacit admission the CIA’s been feeling a little underexposed:
Sorry for not following you back @TheEllenShow. But if you visit us maybe we can take a selfie? #twitterversary
— CIA (@CIA) July 7, 2014Then ... a tantalising piece of (mis) information? The question was about the iconic, sleek, black and ultra-fast spyplane of the 1960s and 70s: The SR-71 Blackbird.
We flew an A-12 OXCART, not a SR-71 BLACKBIRD. Ours flew higher & faster. But, more on that later. #twitterversary pic.twitter.com/jLSCsn9RYn
— CIA (@CIA) July 7, 2014But the question-and-answer session also exposed the CIA’s fallibility:
No, we don’t know where Tupac is. #twitterversary
— CIA (@CIA) July 7, 2014Then the session suddenly ends.
Abduction? Assassination? Defection?
Or is it an indicator of the US surveillance agency’s inability to count?
Most likely, someone walking the secret halls of power was not amused.
Ever wonder what CIA Headquarters looks like? Join one of our K-9s as she gives a tour. http://t.co/Qyi6SMO6qU via @YouTube #fridayfun
— CIA (@CIA) June 27, 2014It’s not the first CIA Twitter eye-opener.
Late last month it sent UFO aficionados into a buzz when it admitted it was to blame for a spate of sightings over Norway in the 1950s.
Remember reports of unusual activity in the skies in the '50s? That was us. #U2Week #UFODAY http://t.co/SOiapRR0MX pic.twitter.com/dOQjQ6ePxr
— CIA (@CIA) July 2, 2014The mysterious craft were top secret U2 spy planes. The mysterious lights were … mysterious lights attached to the aircraft.
The real reason: To see how the aircraft performed in their high-altitude sleuthing role close to the Russian border.
#HISTINT: a new weekly feature highlighting historic intelligence events #U2Week #4July1956 http://t.co/g7s6jnFSzX pic.twitter.com/c2KQGdGFIf
— CIA (@CIA) July 4, 2014And now an advert for the CIA school of art.
Can anyone spot the subliminal message?
CIA #Museum Artifact of the Week: Black Rhythm by #GeneDavis http://t.co/Lwd2k21Uvo Art at CIA #WashingtonColorSchool pic.twitter.com/86dAX2laKc
— CIA (@CIA) June 26, 2014
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