France Investigates Man’s Death After Abuse on Kick Livestream

French authorities are investigating the death of Raphael Graven, a 46-year-old man known online as Jean Pormanove, who died during a live video broadcast on the streaming platform Kick. The incident occurred in the village of Contes, near Nice, and sparked public outrage due to the disturbing nature of past livestreams in which he was regularly humiliated and assaulted. Viewers witnessed him being hit, insulted, doused in substances like paint and oil, and shot with a paintball gun. These incidents were livestreamed for hours, raising concerns about online abuse and the role of platforms in moderating harmful content.

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French junior minister Clara Chappaz called the situation horrific and said the government is taking it seriously. An autopsy has been ordered, and a judicial investigation is ongoing. The case has been referred to Arcom, the country’s digital and media regulator, and reported to Pharos, a French online watchdog. Chappaz also requested official explanations from Kick, stressing that platforms are legally responsible for hosting illegal content. In response, Kick said it would cooperate with authorities, has banned the co-streamers involved, and is reviewing its French content to ensure a safer environment for users moving forward.

A lawyer representing one of the co-streamers claimed that the violence shown in the videos was staged and scripted, and that Raphael Graven had cardiovascular health problems prior to his death. However, French media outlets have published disturbing clips showing Pormanove subjected to apparent real abuse. While the full nature of his participation remains unclear, there is widespread concern over whether he voluntarily agreed to the treatment or was coerced. The footage has sparked debate on the ethical boundaries of livestream content and the responsibilities of platforms like Kick.

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Kick, an Australia-registered platform that shares ad revenue with creators, is under pressure for allowing such content to circulate. The platform’s French team has banned the involved co-streamers and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement. Clara Chappaz emphasized that legal responsibility for illegal online content is mandatory, not optional. Authorities are now examining whether French or international digital laws were violated in this case. The situation has reignited calls for stricter moderation of live content and greater accountability from platforms profiting from creator activity. This tragedy may lead to tighter regulations in France regarding livestreaming platforms, especially those hosting violent or degrading content for entertainment or monetary gain.