France-based streamer Raphael Graven, who went by “Jean Pormanove” or simply “JP,” died this month after enduring 10 days of apparent violent and humiliating acts with sleep deprivation during a streaming. On Tuesday, French prosecutors said its inquiry into Kick will look to see if it knowingly broadcast videos of “deliberate attacks on personal integrity” in violation of the EU’s Digital Services Act. File Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo
An investigation of Australian video platform Kick was opened by French prosecutors following the recent violent death of content creator “JP” during a live-streamed event.
The France-based streamer Raphael Graven, who went by the online alias “Jean Pormanove” or simply “JP,” died this month after he endured about 10 days of apparent violent and humiliating acts with sleep deprivation during a streaming.
On Tuesday, prosecutors in Paris said its inquiry into Kick will determine if it knowingly broadcast videos of “deliberate attacks on personal integrity” in violation of the European Union’s landmark Digital Services Act.
Graven, a 46-year-old Army veteran, reportedly died at a property near Nice in the village of Contes just miles from the Mediterranean Sea and the French Riviera’s Principality of Monaco.
The complaint was filed against Kick for “dissemination of content constituting criminal offenses,” said French Digital Minister Clara Chappaz.
The company previously said its officials would “cooperate fully” with French authorities.
A Kick spokesperson confirmed the company was duly aware of the French investigation and was collecting legal advice.
“We remain fully committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities with any ongoing investigation,” Kick told the BCC and Politico.
Kick stated on Aug. 20 in a social media post it had terminated collaboration with its former French social media manager and were “undertaking a comprehensive review of our French content.”
Graven was a tall, slim man with glasses who had more than 1 million followers and was known for live-streaming extreme challenges.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that “JP” previously had been in discussions with detectives and and “firmly denied” victimhood. He further claimed online stunts were staged for financial gain and to “create a buzz.”
