France in Shock After Influencer Raphael Graven Dies During Livestream
France has been left shaken by the death of 46-year-old Raphael Graven, better known online as Jean Pormanove, who died on Monday during a livestream on the platform Kick after enduring days of abuse and humiliation broadcast to viewers.
Authorities in Nice, near where Graven passed away, said an autopsy revealed no signs of traumatic injuries. Investigators believe his death was likely caused by medical or toxicological reasons. Graven reportedly suffered from heart problems and was undergoing treatment for a thyroid condition. Further tests are underway to confirm the cause of death.
In a statement to broadcaster Franceinfo, junior minister for AI and digital technology Clara Chappaz expressed deep concern over the incident. She noted that in some of the videos, Graven could be heard pleading for the abuse to stop and even said he wanted to call the police.
“The entire country is in shock. We now live in a world where reality has surpassed fiction — where people can watch someone suffer hours of humiliation and even death on a livestream,” Chappaz said. She condemned what she described as a “digital Wild West” and criticized Kick, the Australia-based platform, for failing to moderate its content responsibly.
Chappaz warned that if investigations reveal Kick did not comply with France’s online standards, sanctions would follow. Meanwhile, Kick Francais has pledged to cooperate with authorities and launched its own review of French content.
France’s digital regulator, Arcom, has also opened an investigation. It strongly condemned Kick’s recent decision to lift the block on Graven’s channel, jeanpormanove, a move that once again allowed the public to view the disturbing videos. Arcom stressed that such content should remain restricted and warned the platform of possible action if the ban is not reinstated.
Kick confirmed the channel was unblocked, except for the final livestream, which has been handed over to law enforcement. The accounts of those who appeared alongside Graven during the broadcasts remain banned.
The case has sparked widespread outrage in France, fueling debate about online safety, digital responsibility, and the urgent need for stronger regulation of livestreaming platforms.
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