France’s Regulator Unable to Block Channel of Deceased Streamer

The head of France’s broadcast and online regulator, Martin Ajdari, announced on Sunday that his agency lacks the authority to block an online channel associated with a streamer who died during a live broadcast. The channel, hosted on the Australian platform Kick, is not under the jurisdiction of ARCOM, the regulatory agency, because it has no representation in France.

Ajdari’s remarks came in an op-ed published by Le Monde following the death of Raphael Graven, known online as “Jean Pormanove” or “JP”. Graven passed away on August 18, 2023, while engaged in a 12-day marathon live streaming event, where he endured various forms of abuse and humiliation from participants.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Graven did not die from trauma or foul play. Public prosecutor Damien Martinelli stated that the cause of death was likely related to a medical issue, potentially exacerbated by substances, and noted that Graven may have had underlying heart problems and was receiving treatment for a thyroid condition.

Graven had garnered a significant following on Kick, amassing hundreds of thousands of viewers with his controversial live streams. Following his death, ARCOM has faced increased scrutiny regarding the responsibilities of online platforms. Ajdari emphasized that while the incident raises important questions about the platform’s accountability, only a judge has the authority to assess the legality of the content shared by users.

He clarified that ARCOM’s jurisdiction is limited to enforcing EU laws on entities with a presence in France. Ajdari expressed concern that Graven’s previous videos, which depicted abuse, remained accessible for months without any complaints, calling it “obviously incomprehensible.” He suggested that this incident highlights a pressing need for enhanced digital regulation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Graven’s death have ignited a broader conversation about the role of online platforms in monitoring and regulating content. With the rapid expansion of digital media, regulators are increasingly challenged to keep pace with new developments and ensure the safety of users.