French Streamer Jean Pormanove Dies During Live Kick Broadcast; France Opens Judicial Investigation
French authorities have launched a judicial investigation after the death of Jean Pormanove (real name Raphaël Graven), a 46-year-old streamer who collapsed during a live session on the Kick platform. The incident, which occurred in the village of Contes near Nice, has renewed scrutiny of extreme online content and the obligations of platforms to protect participants.
Months of On-Camera Humiliation and Violence
Pormanove had become a controversial figure on Kick—an Australia-registered live-streaming service that shares revenue with creators—where he frequently appeared in disturbing broadcasts featuring insults, blows, apparent strangulation, paint and oil dousing, and shots from a paintball gun. French media have circulated excerpts from hours-long videos, though it remains unclear whether these scenes were genuine assaults or scripted for effect.
Government Response and Platform Accountability
France’s junior minister for AI and digital technology, Clara Chappaz, condemned the violence as “absolutely horrific,” emphasizing that platforms are legally responsible when illegal content is disseminated. She referred the case to audiovisual regulator Arcom, filed a report to the Pharos portal for illicit content, and formally requested explanations from Kick.
In an initial response, Kick France stated it is cooperating with authorities, reviewing its French content, and has banned all co-streamers who took part in the live broadcast pending the investigation. The company said its priority is creator protection and a safer streaming environment.
Legal Lines and Ethical Questions
A lawyer for one of the co-streamers, Yassin Sadouni, claimed the violent interactions were staged according to a script and noted that Pormanove had a history of cardiovascular issues. Prosecutors have ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death and whether any actions on or off camera contributed to the fatality.
The case highlights the blurred boundary between performance and real-world harm on live platforms, raising pressing questions about consent, duty of care, and the speed at which platforms detect and remove dangerous content.
Why This Matters
Pormanove’s death is a stark reminder that shock-driven content carries real risks. As France’s investigation proceeds, regulators and platforms alike face mounting pressure to enforce policies that prevent exploitation, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure faster intervention when harm is unfolding in real time.