The streaming platform Kick is under scrutiny by the French government following the tragic death of streamer Jean Pormanove. Pormanove, who was streaming live when he passed away in his sleep, has led to numerous inquiries regarding the circumstances surrounding his death and the events leading up to it.
Jean Pormanove, also known as Raphael Graven, was a 46-year-old French streamer who transitioned from TikTok to Twitch, amassing nearly 700,000 followers. In 2023, he moved to the Kick platform, where he became the most-viewed French streamer. On August 18, 2025, he died during a Kick broadcast that lasted over 280 hours.
Reports indicate that an investigation has been initiated to explore the conditions of Pormanove’s death. Allegations surfaced stating he endured ten days of “torture”, which allegedly included sleep deprivation and physical assaults such as suffocation attempts and electrical shocks. The French digital affairs minister has acknowledged that a judicial inquiry is currently in progress and criticized Kick for allowing unmoderated content to be streamed online.
While streaming alongside fellow streamers Owen “Naruto” Cenazandott and Safine Hamadi, Pormanove reportedly expressed to his mother that he was unhappy with the situation and felt trapped, saying he was unable to leave. Concerns about his well-being were raised by a viewer who indicated he appeared unresponsive. However, when help arrived, it was reported that Pormanove was alone, with Narutos absent. Both Cenazandott and Hamadi had previously been detained in January 2025 due to allegations of producing content that humiliates vulnerable individuals but were released the same day.
In light of these developments, Kick has suspended the streamers pending investigation. Adin Ross, a prominent streamer and supporter of Kick, condemned the incident, demanded justice for Pormanove, and called for urgent changes to the platform. He, alongside rapper Drake, has volunteered to cover Pormanove’s funeral expenses, stating it was the least they could do.
