Kick, the Australian-based live-streaming platform, is under investigation after the death of French streamer Jean Pormanove, with potential fines reaching $49 million.
On August 18, Raphaël Graven, known to his audience as Jean Pormanove, died in his sleep while live on stream at the age of 46. His final broadcasts, however, revealed months of escalating abuse. Viewers witnessed instances where he was struck, strangled, deprived of sleep, and reportedly forced to ingest toxic substances by two fellow streamers, Naruto and Safine.
Clips shared widely on social media highlight the severity of the mistreatment, drawing international outrage. In one of his last messages to his mother, Pormanove confided that he felt like he was being held “hostage” and expressed despair over the situation. His sister later described what he endured as “unacceptable.”
France Reacts With Anger
The case has been described as a national scandal in France. Politicians expressed frustration not only at the actions of the perpetrators but also at the platform’s failure to intervene.
Clara Chappaz, France’s minister for digital affairs and AI, said the death reflected the dangers of unchecked online spaces. She emphasized that Pormanove had been mistreated for months in front of a live audience and urged stronger protections to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Australia’s Watchdog Investigates
Since Kick is headquartered in Australia, French authorities had limited power to regulate the platform. Attention soon turned to the country’s eSafety Commissioner, which has since opened an investigation into the case.
According to the commissioner, the situation illustrates how the drive for more extreme content can create devastating real-world consequences. Under Australian law, online platforms are required to protect users from harmful or criminal material and to enforce their own terms of service. Violations can carry penalties of up to AUD $49.5 million (around USD $32 million).
Kick’s own guidelines prohibit material depicting or promoting severe violence, suffering, or death. Regulators have warned that if Kick is found in breach of these standards, it could face significant financial penalties.
The watchdog also pointed to new online safety rules set to take effect in December, which may prevent users under the age of 16 from accessing Kick, tightening restrictions on how the platform operates in Australia.
Kick’s Immediate Response
In the wake of Pormanove’s death, Kick moved to ban Naruto and Safine, the streamers linked to the broadcasts. The company also cut ties with its French social media agency after backlash over promotional content that had used Pormanove’s image to sell merchandise.
Despite these measures, critics argue that the platform’s actions were reactive and came far too late. Safety experts contend that real-time monitoring and stricter content moderation are necessary to prevent tragedies, rather than bans and disassociations after harm has already occurred.
Ongoing Police Investigation
French authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of Pormanove’s death. An autopsy revealed no clear external or internal injuries, shifting attention to possible medical or toxicological causes. Investigators are working to determine whether substances allegedly consumed during his streams contributed to his death.
Naruto and Safine, through their legal representatives, have denied responsibility. However, videos documenting their involvement continue to circulate online, fueling public anger and calls for accountability.
A Pattern of Violence on Kick
The tragedy has also highlighted other troubling incidents on the platform. Just days later, another violent episode unfolded when Raja Jackson, son of UFC fighter Rampage Jackson, attacked wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith during a wrestling event in California. The event was streamed live on Kick.
Footage showed Raja punching Smith multiple times while he appeared unconscious, sparking an LAPD investigation. Kick permanently banned Raja following the incident.
The repercussions extended beyond the streaming world. WWE quickly severed ties with KnokX Pro Wrestling, the promotion hosting the event, by removing references to it on official channels. YouTube creator MrBeast later offered to cover Smith’s hospital bills after the incident went viral.
Two violent events in less than a month have placed Kick under intense scrutiny. Regulators in both Europe and Australia are demanding answers about the platform’s ability to police harmful content. Critics argue that Kick’s rapid rise has outpaced its capacity—or willingness—to enforce its own rules.
Analysts warn that live-streaming platforms are incentivizing creators to push the boundaries of what audiences will watch, often at the expense of safety. For vulnerable streamers like Pormanove, the consequences can be severe or even fatal.
