France launches investigation into Kick streamer Jean Pormanove’s “mistreatment” & death
The French government has opened a judicial investigation into the death of Raphaël Graven, better known online as Jean Pormanove, after the 46-year-old Kick streamerdied in his sleep.
According to French mediareports, Pormanove had been livestreaming onKickin the days leading up to his death, where he was repeatedly subjected to humiliation and abuse from fellow streamers identified as Naruto and Safine.
Reports allege the streamer endured “ten days and nights of torture,” involving extreme physical violence, sleep deprivation, and the forced ingestion of toxic products.Viral clipscirculating online show Pormanove being hit, strangled, and shot at with paintball guns while live on stream.
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Clara Chappaz, France’s minister for digital affairs and artificial intelligence, called the ordeal “humiliation” and “mistreatment,” confirming a judicial investigation is underway. She also criticized Kick for allowing the content to remain online.
Le décès de Jean Pormanove et les violences qu’il a subies sont une horreur absolue. J’adresse toutes mes condoléances à sa famille et à ses proches.Jean Pormanove a été humilié et maltraité pendant des mois en direct sur la plateforme Kick.Une enquête judiciaire est en cours.…
“The responsibility of online platforms regarding the dissemination of illicit content is not optional: it is the law,” Chappaz wrote on X. “This type of failure can lead to the worst and has no place in France, Europe, or anywhere else.”
Chappaz said she referred the situation to French media regulator Arcom. Additionally, she contacted Pharos, a system used to report online content.
On August 20, she confirmed that an investigation into the streamers was underway. “Justice will carry out its work to advance this investigation and to clarify the tragic circumstances of Jean Pormanove’s death… All platforms have the legal responsibility to remove clearly illegal content of which they are aware,” sheexplainedbefore also taking aim at Kick.
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“The largest platforms also have the new responsibility to combat systemic risks such as the protection of minors, public health, or the safety of individuals. Investigations are underway regarding some of them.”
Kick told theBBCit was “urgently reviewing” the circumstances of Pormanove’s death, stating: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jean Pormanove and extend our condolences to his family, friends, and community.” The company insisted its community guidelines are designed to protect creators.
Kick has sincebanned the streamersinvolved in Jean Pormanove broadcasts and announced it had ended its collaboration with its former French social media agency after facing backlash for posts that used images of Pormanove to promote merchandise. Kick says it is conducting a full review of its French operations to prevent similar incidents.
