CIA makes Twitter, Facebook debut

The CIA tweeted for the first time on Friday, in a move that the secretive spy agency hopes will make it appear more accessible to the public.   

In its inaugural post, the agency made a joke about its notoriously tight lips.

We can neither confirm nor deny that this is our first tweet.

— CIA (@CIA) June 6, 2014

{mosads}In addition to the Twitter account, the spy headquarters at Langley, Va., is also launching an official Facebook page, which posted a tribute to the Americans who died at D-Day, 70 years ago.

“Today we honor the brave Americans who fought and served on this day in history,” the agency wrote, adding a note about the role of its predecessor in the historic World War II battle.

The Twitter post caused an instant reaction on the social media service, where many played along with the agency’s joke. Others chided the intelligence service for making light of its lack of transparency.    

In a statement, CIA Director John Brennan said that the move would allow the agency “to more directly engage with the public and provide information on CIA’s mission, history, and other developments.”

“We have important insights to share, and we want to make sure that unclassified information about the Agency is more accessible to the American public that we serve, consistent with our national security mission,” he added.

In addition to statements and press releases, the agency will also use the accounts to post updates from its “World Factbook” and items from its internal museum.