A French civil court has made a significant ruling, refusing to order a complete nationwide block of the popular livestreaming platform Kick. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic death of French streamer Raphaël Graven, who was widely known online as Jean Pormanove.
The Court's Decision and Legal Arguments
The hearing took place on November 26. French authorities had pushed for a severe measure: a six-month ban on Kick across the entire country. They argued that the platform hosted harmful content linked to Pormanove's final livestreams and that it was attempting to evade responsibility by keeping such material online. Their legal basis was a French digital law designed for swift action against dangerous online content.
However, the court saw things differently. The judges ruled that shutting down the entire platform would be too extreme and disproportionate. They emphasized that such a broad ban would be unfair, especially when other, more targeted legal options are available. The court supported the idea of focusing on specific accounts or content rather than imposing a blanket restriction on the service.
The Tragic Incident of Jean Pormanove
The case stems from the death of Jean Pormanove, who passed away on August 18 at the age of 46 while he was livestreaming. His death sparked a major public outcry in France, raising urgent questions about the safety of online content and the duty of care that platforms owe to their creators and users.
In the days leading up to his death, Pormanove participated in streams with fellow creators Owen 'Naruto' Cenazendotti and Safine Hamadi. French media reports described this period as deeply disturbing. Investigators looked into allegations involving physical harm, forced consumption of substances, and extreme sleep deprivation. Despite these probes, no charges have been filed to date. An autopsy later concluded that Pormanove's death was not directly caused by another person.
Both Cenazendotti and Hamadi have stated that the streams were planned, consensual, and staged for content. In a notable development, Pormanove's mother has publicly defended the two creators, stating that they generally treated her son well.
Ongoing Repercussions for Kick
While Kick has avoided the drastic measure of a country-wide ban, the platform is not in the clear. Kick and its executives remain under criminal investigation by prosecutors in both Paris and Nice. This separate probe could lead to serious consequences, including potential prison sentences and substantial fines if charges are eventually brought forward.
The court's ruling sets a clear precedent for how French law may approach platform regulation in extreme cases. It indicates a judicial preference for focused, surgical actions over wholesale shutdowns, balancing the need to address harmful content with the principles of proportionality and fairness in the digital space. The case continues to underscore the intense global scrutiny on the responsibilities of social media and livestreaming platforms.
