The French government is taking legal action against livestreaming platform Kick following the death of Raphaël Graven, a 46-year-old streamer known as Jean Pormanove. Graven died during a broadcast on 18 August after reportedly enduring several days of abuse and humiliation livestreamed on the platform.
Kick, backed by gambling operator Stake.com, has positioned itself as a challenger to Twitch and YouTube. However, while it attracted high-profile streamers and built a presence in esports, it has also drawn criticism over moderation and safety standards.
On 26 August, France’s Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, Clara Chappaz, announced that the state will take Kick to court under digital economy laws, aiming to curb harmful content and assess risks linked to the platform. The Paris prosecutor’s office has also opened a separate investigation into its operations.
Beyond the lawsuit, measures include a government mission to review regulation of the creator economy, the relaunch of Arcom’s Online Hate Observatory, and the introduction of a Digital Citizen Reserve to assist in flagging illegal content.
“The outcome of this case could set the tone for how new streaming platforms are regulated across the region,” Chappaz said in official communications, adding: “Kick is my fight and I am taking the platform to court.”
