French Prosecutors Investigate Death During Abuse Livestream

French prosecutors are investigating the death of 46-year-old Raphael Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove, who died during a livestream in which he was subjected to abuse by two other individuals. The fatal livestream was broadcast on the Australian platform Kick, known for its more permissive content rules compared to competitors like Twitch. Graven had been subjected to months of physical and mental abuse by fellow streamers living in the same house, with the mistreatment broadcast to thousands of viewers as a form of monetized entertainment. French authorities have faced criticism for not intervening earlier, despite reports and concerns about the abusive content dating back several months, including formal complaints under the EU’s Digital Services Act. Government officials, including Digital Minister Clara Chappaz and France’s High Commissioner for Children, have condemned the incident and emphasized the legal responsibility of online platforms to prevent the dissemination of illicit content. The ongoing investigation includes an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, while Kick has expressed condolences and stated its commitment to content safety.