Edward Snowden joins Twitter: 'Can you hear me now?'

Edward Snowden, the former government contractor who made waves in 2013 after leaking classified documents about the National Security Agency's global surveillance programs, has joined social media site Twitter.

Tweeting under the username @Snowden, Snowden sent his first message on Tuesday, simply: "Can you hear me now?"

The U.S. Department of Justice charged Snowden with two counts of violating the Espionage Act and theft of government property in 2013. He then fled to Russia where he was been living in an undisclosed location ever since. He is currently seeking asylum in another country.

The whistleblower has largely kept a low profile since the leak, though he agreed to an interview with Last Week Tonight host John Oliver in April.

WATCH: John Oliver Went to Russia to Interview Edward Snowden About Hot Pockets:

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