Saudi authorities have launched an urgent investigation regarding an unexpected technical error that appeared in the visual presentation during a government press conference about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This incident caused significant disruption both among officials and on social media.
The phrase "because they are spik" appeared under the icon for gyms and sports centers included in the closure decision related to the precautionary measures announced a week ago. The term "spik" is used in Saudi colloquial language as an insult, meaning "stupid or foolish."
The hashtag "because they are spik" trended on Twitter in Saudi Arabia, having been spotted during the briefing by Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman, Colonel Talal Al-Shalhoub. Thousands of users reacted to this error, with opinions divided: some viewed it as an unforeseen and unintentional mistake, while others mocked the term through videos and images, treating it as a form of entertainment.
