The death of a streamer has reignited Europe’s broader debate over the limits of online content.
In the wake of streamer Jean Pormanove’s death, France has ruled on whether the platform Kick should be blocked nationwide.
France’s Push to Ban Kick Nationwide Falls Short in Court
After the tragic death of Raphaël Graven, better known under his streamer name Jean Pormanove, at the age of 46 on August 18, the French state opened an investigation into the case and subsequently took legal action against Kick, seeking a nationwide ban of the platform.
A civil hearing was held on November 26, during which the French state argued that Kick was effectively operating beyond the reach of French law. Prosecutors claimed that the platform was attempting to establish what they described as an online “no-go zone,” where national regulations could no longer be properly enforced.
However, this line of argumentation was dismissed by the court. In its ruling, the court found that a blanket ban of the platform would be disproportionate, noting that more targeted measures such as bans against individual accounts would be a more appropriate response.
As a result, the request to block Kick across France was rejected, marking a significant setback for the government’s attempt to impose one of the most severe regulatory actions ever sought against a major streaming platform.
Allegations, Investigation And Public Response
This lawsuit is a direct consequence of the death of Jean Pormanove. The streamer died following what a French media outlet described as “10 days of torture,” a label that quickly sparked international outrage and prompted French authorities to open an official investigation.
The ongoing investigation has examined allegations including physical abuse, forced ingestion of substances, and severe sleep deprivation. No criminal charges have been filed, and an autopsy concluded that Jean Pormanove’s death was not caused by direct external intervention. Despite this, the allegations surrounding the livestream remain serious.
Adding further complexity to the case, Jean Pormanove’s mother publicly defended the other streamers involved, describing them as “great people” and stating that they “never mistreated him except once in the gym.” Her comments stood in contrast to the public backlash that followed the incident.
Kick remains under investigation, as does Jean Pormanove’s former streaming group, Lokal, which has since re-emerged on Twitch under the name OGK Decoy.
For now, the case remains open. While the court rejected a nationwide ban, Kick continues to face scrutiny from French authorities. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal steps have not been ruled out. Although the ruling represents a setback for the French state’s attempt to block the platform, it does not mark the end of legal or regulatory pressure on Kick.
