A Paris court is expected to rule by December 19 on a French government request to ban or restrict access to livestreaming platform Kick across the country. The legal action follows the death of Jean Pormanove, a 46-year-old streamer who died while broadcasting live on the platform.
French authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pormanove’s death and the livestream itself. According to reports citing prosecutorial statements, an autopsy found no internal or external traumatic injuries that could explain the death. Forensic experts reportedly indicated the probable cause appeared to be medical and toxicological rather than related to physical trauma.
Investigators ultimately didn’t bring charges against other streamers connected to the broadcast. The lack of criminal charges has created confusion about why the government is now seeking action against the platform itself rather than individuals involved.
This difference matters in French and European Union law. Even when specific content creators aren’t criminally liable, platforms can still face regulatory action for failing to moderate prohibited content or respond adequately to reports. Under the EU’s Digital Services Act, platforms have obligations to remove harmful content once they’re made aware of it.
Kick launched in the early 2020s as a competitor to Twitch, marketing itself with more favorable revenue splits for creators and looser content restrictions. The platform has drawn criticism for exactly that approach, with observers noting connections to the online gambling industry through ties to crypto casino brand Stake.
Like all livestreaming platforms, Kick faces the challenge of moderating real-time broadcasts. Content can show harmful or illegal activity before moderators can react and remove it. But regulators increasingly expect platforms to have systems in place to detect, report, and shut down such content quickly.
What happens next
If the court grants the government’s request, France would likely implement the ban through ISP-level blocking, similar to how the country has restricted other websites. French internet service providers would be ordered to block access to Kick’s domains, and mobile app stores might be required to remove Kick apps from their French storefronts.
The December 19 ruling will determine whether Kick remains accessible in France or becomes the latest platform to face nationwide blocking. The case could set precedent for how European countries handle platform liability when harmful content appears in live broadcasts.
