Local sources from France: France 24, Le Figaro.
UK coverage: politico.eu.
The digital world is facing a pivotal moment of introspection following the tragic death of French streamer Jean Pormanove, known online as ‘Graven’, who died during a live broadcast. This incident has cast a glaring spotlight on the practices of the Australian video platform Kick, inciting widespread criticism from the public and government officials alike. Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Digital Minister, has openly critiqued the platform for what he perceives as a glaring disregard for the safety and wellbeing of its users. The controversy stems from an incident that unfolded on August 18, 2025, during which Pormanove was subjected to a harrowing ordeal of violence and abuse over a 12-day period by other streamers on the platform, culminating in his death on live broadcast. Despite an autopsy that indicated no third-party involvement in his death, the circumstances leading up to it have raised serious concerns about the role of digital platforms in safeguarding their users against online violence and abuse. Following the incident, Kick, which was founded in 2022 by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, faced severe backlash for its lenient moderation policies and its decision to temporarily reinstate the accounts of those involved in the abuse, a move that was later overturned by French authorities. The platform, known for its favorable payment policy to content creators, offering them 95% of generated revenue, and its minimal moderation rules, has been criticized for not having sufficient French-speaking moderators among its team of 75, despite a significant French userbase. This incident has not only highlighted the darker aspects of internet fame but also the pressing need for stricter oversight on streaming platforms. The French authorities, including the digital minister and the regulatory body Arcom, had been alerted to Pormanove’s mistreatment since December, pointing to a systemic issue of delayed action in addressing online violence. The ongoing investigation into Pormanove’s death, which has seen the arrest and subsequent release of two suspects due to a lack of evidence, continues to unfold in Nice. This case underscores the urgent need for digital platforms to enforce stricter content moderation policies and for governments to adopt more robust regulatory measures to protect individuals from online harm. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the tragic demise of Jean Pormanove serves as a somber reminder of the real-world consequences of online violence and the collective responsibility of platforms, users, and authorities to foster a safer online environment.
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