Could Kick face a $49M penalty after French streamer Jean Pormanove’s death on livestream? Everything we know so far

Kick is under growing scrutiny following a tragic incident involving French streamer Jean Pormanove, with questions about possible consequences. According to Dexerto, the live streaming platform could face a potential $49 million penalty following the death of Raphaël Gravenm, famous by his online name Jean Pormanove.

Pormanove was livestreaming from his home in Contes when he unexpectedly died in his sleep. He was reportedly subjected to a lack of sleep and severe abuse. Additionally, he was also being forced to take harmful substances by two other streamers, who have been identified as Naruto and Safine.

While police had previously dealt with the two over abuse claims, Jean denied them, saying it was all staged, according to UNILAD. After the tragic incident, Kick is under fire due to the Australian online safety laws, which can lead to a fine of $49 million. Under Australia’s new eSafety laws:

"A court can order civil penalties for platforms that don’t take reasonable steps to prevent underage users from having accounts on their platforms. This includes court-imposed fines of up to 150,000 penalty units for corporations – currently equivalent to a total of $49.5 million AUD."

From December, Kick could be required to stop under-16s from signing up, as per the new law. While French police are still examining the case and gathering details, the live streaming platform has blocked the streamers involved and ended ties with its French agency. According to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, the case is under investigation.

After the incident, a representative for Kick also said in a statement:

"We are urgently reviewing the circumstances and collaborating with relevant stakeholders. Kick's community guidelines are designed to protect creators, and we are committed to enforcing them across our platform"

Jean Pormanove's mother speaks about his death

Speaking about Jean to RTL, his mother said:

"He had brothers in Metz, but he found brothers in Nice, he was a family, he was invited everywhere"

Reflecting on his brother's life, his sisters also said in a statement:

"I was very, very proud of what my brother became. I didn't watch everything, but I think he shouldn't have died like that, that he died of exhaustion. What he went through is unacceptable."

The streamer reportedly sent a message to his mother just a few days before his death, where he said he felt 'held hostage.'

Sarah El Hairy, High Commissioner for Children in France wrote on X:

"I learn of the passing of the streamer #jeanpormanove. Horrifying. 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."

The final outcome of the investigation and any official statements are still pending.

Also Read: How did Jean Pormanove die? French authorities are reportedly investigating fellow streamers Naruto and Safine over 'humiliation streams'

Adin Ross says he and Drake will cover late streamer Jean Pormanove’s funeral costs: “Whoever was a part of this deserves severe consequences”

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