French Streamer's Death During Live Broadcast Sparks Investigation and Regulatory Scrutiny
Published 20 August 2025
Highlights
- French streamer Raphaël Graven, known as Jean Pormanove, died during a live stream on the platform Kick, sparking a police investigation.
- Graven was reportedly subjected to violence and humiliation in his videos, which were part of a broader investigation into alleged abuse of vulnerable individuals.
- The streaming platform Kick, founded in Melbourne, is under scrutiny for its content moderation policies and potential regulatory repercussions.
- An autopsy has been ordered, and equipment and videos have been seized to determine the cause of Graven's death.
- French authorities, including Minister Clara Chappaz, have condemned the events as horrific, and a judicial investigation is ongoing.
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Rewritten Article
French Streamer's Death During Live Broadcast Sparks Investigation and Regulatory Scrutiny
The tragic death of French streamer Raphaël Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove, during a live broadcast on the streaming platform Kick has prompted a police investigation and raised questions about the platform's content moderation policies. Graven, 46, was found dead at a residence near Nice, France, on Monday, following a stream that reportedly involved acts of violence and humiliation.
Investigation Underway
French authorities have launched a judicial investigation into Graven's death, with local prosecutor Damien Martinelli confirming that an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday. Police have interviewed individuals present at the time of the incident and have seized equipment and videos to clarify the circumstances leading to Graven's death. Despite these efforts, the interviews have yet to provide clear guidance on the cause of death.
Platform Under Scrutiny
Kick, a Melbourne-based live-streaming platform similar to Twitch, is facing scrutiny for its handling of the incident and its broader content moderation policies. Founded in 2022 by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, Kick has gained popularity by attracting Twitch streamers and offering creators 95% of their revenue. However, the platform's lighter approach to content moderation has come under fire, especially as it prohibits content depicting significant harm or violence.
Regulatory and Legal Implications
French Minister Clara Chappaz has described the events surrounding Graven's death as "absolutely horrific" and confirmed that the matter has been referred to the digital regulator Arcom. The ongoing investigation also ties into a separate probe into alleged deliberate acts of violence against vulnerable individuals, which began eight months ago following reports by Mediapart.
Community and Platform Response
Kick has expressed its condolences to Graven's family and community, stating that it is cooperating with the investigation and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident. The platform has banned the co-streamers involved and removed Graven's channel as part of its response.
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Scenario Analysis
The investigation into Raphaël Graven's death could lead to significant regulatory changes for live-streaming platforms like Kick, particularly concerning content moderation and the protection of vulnerable individuals. As the judicial investigation unfolds, Kick may face increased pressure to tighten its community guidelines and ensure compliance with international digital safety standards. Experts suggest that this incident could serve as a catalyst for broader discussions on the responsibilities of streaming platforms in safeguarding their users and preventing harmful content.
The tragic death of French streamer Raphaël Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove, during a live broadcast on the streaming platform Kick has prompted a police investigation and raised questions about the platform's content moderation policies. Graven, 46, was found dead at a residence near Nice, France, on Monday, following a stream that reportedly involved acts of violence and humiliation.
Investigation Underway
French authorities have launched a judicial investigation into Graven's death, with local prosecutor Damien Martinelli confirming that an autopsy is scheduled for Thursday. Police have interviewed individuals present at the time of the incident and have seized equipment and videos to clarify the circumstances leading to Graven's death. Despite these efforts, the interviews have yet to provide clear guidance on the cause of death.
Platform Under Scrutiny
Kick, a Melbourne-based live-streaming platform similar to Twitch, is facing scrutiny for its handling of the incident and its broader content moderation policies. Founded in 2022 by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, Kick has gained popularity by attracting Twitch streamers and offering creators 95% of their revenue. However, the platform's lighter approach to content moderation has come under fire, especially as it prohibits content depicting significant harm or violence.
Regulatory and Legal Implications
French Minister Clara Chappaz has described the events surrounding Graven's death as "absolutely horrific" and confirmed that the matter has been referred to the digital regulator Arcom. The ongoing investigation also ties into a separate probe into alleged deliberate acts of violence against vulnerable individuals, which began eight months ago following reports by Mediapart.
Community and Platform Response
Kick has expressed its condolences to Graven's family and community, stating that it is cooperating with the investigation and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident. The platform has banned the co-streamers involved and removed Graven's channel as part of its response.
What this might mean
The investigation into Raphaël Graven's death could lead to significant regulatory changes for live-streaming platforms like Kick, particularly concerning content moderation and the protection of vulnerable individuals. As the judicial investigation unfolds, Kick may face increased pressure to tighten its community guidelines and ensure compliance with international digital safety standards. Experts suggest that this incident could serve as a catalyst for broader discussions on the responsibilities of streaming platforms in safeguarding their users and preventing harmful content.
