Unexpected Demise of Streamer Jean Pormanove: "None of us foresaw events escalating to this extent," remarks Mediapart journalist, who scrutinized the streamer's videos.
In a shocking turn of events, French streamer Jean Pormanove, known online as "JP," died overnight from Sunday to Monday during a live video on the Kick platform. This tragic incident has sparked outrage and heavy criticism of the live-streaming service, which is now under scrutiny for its alleged negligence in moderating content.
The Kick platform, an Australian live-streaming service, gained international attention last year after a similar incident involving Raphael Graven, the streamer who went by the pseudonym Jean Pormanove. During a 12-day streaming marathon, Graven endured abuse and humiliation from other participants, leading to his death.
French authorities have accused Kick of negligence for failing to adequately moderate and stop the broadcast of dangerous content. The Digital Affairs Minister, Clara Chappaz, explicitly stated that Kick did not do everything possible to prevent the live streaming of harmful behavior, allegedly violating a French 2004 law that regulates online content.
In response to the incident, French prosecutors have opened a legal investigation into Kick to determine whether the platform knowingly allowed the streaming of deliberate attacks on personal integrity. The investigation will also check Kick’s compliance with the European Union's Digital Services Act concerning content moderation. If found liable, Kick could face penalties including a fine of up to €1 million and offenders may face up to 10 years in prison. Additionally, the platform may face substantial financial penalties, including a reported $49 million fine.
An autopsy has been ordered in the case, and preliminary investigations have been opened against the influencers Naruto and Safine, who were involved in the incident. The Nice prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for public provocation via electronic communication, voluntary violence against vulnerable persons, and the dissemination of recordings related to voluntary violence.
Marie Turcan, a journalist at Mediapart, has been investigating the Kick platform for months, viewing hours of content and contacting the channel's managers. Turcan argues that there are strong tools and ways to act against the perpetrators, not the platform, through a judicial response. However, the investigation by Mediapart was met with controversy, with a community around Naruto and Safine turning against the journalists who wrote about it, resulting in cyberbullying, insults, and death threats.
Despite the toxic environment, Jean Pormanove felt extremely valued to have internet users who followed him regularly on the Kick platform. The platform was a guarantee for him of having a lot of money and social status, despite the unsavory characters it attracted. Marie Turcan states that the Kick platform attracts "all the worst elements who no longer had a place elsewhere."
The Minister of Digital has referred the matter to the Arcom following the death of a streamer. As the investigation continues, the public awaits answers and calls for stricter regulation and accountability for live-streaming platforms like Kick.
References:
[1] Mediapart. (2024, December). Bullying, humiliation, and violence suffered and broadcast live by Jean Pormanove at the hands of influencers Naruto and Safine. Retrieved from https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/271224/bullying-humiliation-et-violence-subies-et-broadcast-en-direct-par-jean-pormanove-aux-mains-des-influenceurs-naruto-et-safine
[2] Le Figaro. (2024, December). Kick, la plateforme de streaming sous le feu des projecteurs. Retrieved from https://www.lefigaro.fr/technologiques/2024/12/27/kick-la-plateforme-de-streaming-sous-le-feu-des-projecteurs-20241227
[3] The Guardian. (2024, December). Kick under fire after French streamer's death. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/december/27/kick-under-fire-after-french-streamers-death
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