Government Accidentally Turns On Cat Filter During Facebook Live

@nailainayat/Twitter

Members of Pakistan’s government were accidentally turned into big-eyed, pink-eared kitties during a meeting recently when someone switched on the cat filter during Facebook Live. 

All it takes to add a filter these days is the quick swipe of a screen and while many social media users utilise the effects to help them transform into adorable animals, it’s not really a good look when it comes to official business.

The provincial government of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were conducting a press briefing, held by KP’s Information Minister Shoukat Yousafza, at the time, and to ensure all interested parties could witness the event they decided to stream it live.

@nailainayat/Twitter

However, modern technology got the better of whoever was behind the camera as the cat filter popped up over a couple of the ministers’ faces, with the big whiskers and ears making them look much less professional than the average member of government probably should.

One Facebook user pointed out the error, writing (translated):

Remove the filter, the man has been turned into a cat.

@nailainayat/Twitter

The person behind the camera soon realised the issue and turned the filter off but not before amused members of the public had managed to take screenshots of the blunder.

Naturally it was an occasion which had to be shared with the world and so the pictures of the cat-ministers have since gone viral. Many labelled the scenes as ‘cute’, while one person wondered if they were trying to spread a ‘paw-sitive’ image of the government.

I suppose it’s a good way to get more people interested in politics!

The Indian Express report the party later issued a statement on the situation, calling the mistake a ‘human error’. While it was no doubt a little embarrassing for the professionals, internet users are hoping animal filter-filled government meetings will become a new trend.

One person wrote:

I propose all parliamentary proceedings around the world to be recorded with Cat Filters. Please start with the British Parliament!

Although the filter kept many people entertained and no doubt drew a lot of good-natured attention towards the government, they’ve decided to try and avoid the special effects going forward.

Their statement added:

All necessary actions have been taken to avoid such incidents in the future.

The look was certainly good while it lasted!

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Emily Brown

Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.