Investigation Launched into Death of Man Featured in Violent Kick Streams

French authorities are currently investigating the death of a man who was a regular participant in live video streams on the Kick platform. The man, aged 46, was found dead in the village of Contes, near Nice. An autopsy has been ordered, and a formal investigation has been launched by prosecutors.

The deceased, known online as Jean Pormanove, frequently appeared in videos where he was subjected to physical assaults and humiliation by other streamers while viewers watched live. Clara Chappaz, the junior minister for AI and digital technology, expressed her horror at the violence he endured.

The streaming platform, Kick Francais, has stated its intention to cooperate with the authorities and is reviewing its French content. The platform has also banned all co-streamers involved in the live broadcast where the man died, pending the investigation.

The French government is taking action, with Chappaz referring the matter to the digital and audiovisual communication regulator and filing a report to France's internet portal for reporting illicit content. She has also requested explanations from Kick, emphasizing the legal responsibility of online platforms regarding the dissemination of illegal content.

A lawyer representing one of the co-streamers claims the violence in the videos was staged, and the deceased had pre-existing cardiovascular issues. However, excerpts from the videos show the man enduring various forms of abuse, including physical blows, insults, and being doused with paint and oil. The circumstances surrounding the violence, including whether it was voluntary or forced, and the extent of its reality, remain unclear.