Tragedy on Streaming Platform Kick: Investigation Launched

The French government is actively pursuing legal action against video platform Kick following the tragic death of streamer Raphaël Graven, also known as Jean Pormanove.

French prosecutors have opened an investigation into the Australian video platform Kick over the death of a content creator during a live stream. Raphaël Graven - also known as Jean Pormanove - was found dead in a residence near the city of Nice last week.

He was known for videos in which he endured apparent violence and humiliation. The Paris prosecutor said the investigation would look into whether Kick knowingly broadcast videos of deliberate attacks on personal integrity.

A spokesperson from Kick stated that the firm is aware of the investigation and is taking legal advice, emphasizing their commitment to cooperate with the authorities.

The prosecutor's investigation will also seek to determine whether Kick complied with the European Union's Digital Services Act, which mandates platforms to notify the authorities if the life or safety of individuals is at risk. Additionally, France's minister for digital affairs, Clara Chappaz, announced that the government would sue Kick for negligence due to its alleged failure to block dangerous content.

'Absolute Horror'

Mr. Graven was found dead on August 18 and was reported to have experienced violence and sleep deprivation during his streams. He reportedly died in his sleep during a live broadcast. In a statement on social media, Chappaz described his death as an absolute horror, expressing concerns over how Graven had been mistreated on the platform.

A postmortem indicated that Mr. Graven's death was not caused by trauma or third-party involvement. Local police have seized videos and interviewed individuals present at the time of his death.

Remarkably, Graven had previously assured detectives that the acts he partook in were staged for entertainment and profit, denying allegations of real victimization. Kick is a platform akin to Twitch, allowing users to engage with others through live streaming and content sharing.

In a prior statement, Kick expressed its condolences and commitment to ensuring the safety of its creators.