Investigation launched over death of French Kick streamer who died mid-livestream
Jean Pormanove was frequently one of the most watched streamers in France, known for streaming video games and extreme challenges, like sleep deprivation marathons, with fellow content creators.
French media have reported in the hours and even months that preceded his death that Pormanove was subjected to "torture, humiliation, and abuse."
His death was confirmed by another creator, called Naruto, who often collaborated with Pormanove in his videos.
Writing on X, French digital technologies minister Clara Chappaz shared her condolences. She also confirmed French authorities were investigating and the incident had been referred to Arcom, France's media regulator.
"The death of Jean Pormanove and the violence he endured are an absolute horror. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."Jean Pormanove was humiliated and mistreated for months live on the Kick platform.
"A judicial investigation is underway."
She added she had contacted Kick for an explanation.
"The responsibility of online platforms regarding the dissemination of illicit content is not optional: It is the law. This type of failure can lead to the worst and has no place in France, Europe, or anywhere else," she said.
Describing the incident as "horrifying," the French High Commissioner for Childhood, Sarah El Haïry, said: "Platforms have an immense responsibility in regulating online content so that our children are not exposed to violent content.
"I call on parents to exercise the utmost vigilance," she added.
Kick is an Australian platform with a large number of young users, thanks in part to its popularity with gamers streaming content.
In a statement, the streaming platform said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jean Pormanove and extend our condolences to his family, friends and community.
"We are urgently reviewing the circumstances and engaging with relevant stakeholders to investigate the situation.
"Kick's community guidelines are designed to protect creators, and we remain committed to upholding these standards across our platform."
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The Independent
an hour ago
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Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion This was a recommendation presented to the government in 2015. Attorney general Michelle Rowland acknowledged last week that the fact it had taken 10 years to implement was a 'failure of successive governments'. However, Rowland acknowledged governments wouldn't be standardising the criteria that led to someone's WWCC to be revoked across the states. Instead they would implement a system that meant someone banned from working with children in one state, wouldn't be able to keep their WWCC in another state. Firstly, let it sink in that that hasn't been the policy until now. It is great that a 'banned in one, banned in all' policy will be introduced by the end of the year. But this is a bare minimum. It should happen, but let's not kid ourselves that it's the answer. In the case of Griffith, at the time of his arrest, he didn't have a criminal conviction and still had a valid WWCC. 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