The death of online streamer Jean Pormanove has exposed the murky world of a streaming service that appeals to users by providing them with controversial uncensored content that would be banned on mainstream online platforms such as YouTube.
The death of 46-year-old content creator Pormanove - real name Raphael Graven - on August 18 has sent shockwaves around France with outraged politicians appalled by scenes of 'absolute horror'.
French prosecutors are probing how the former soldier could have been subjected to such a gruelling campaign of sleep deprivation, savage beatings and even forced ingestion of toxic substances in the days before he was found lifeless in bed - with nobody intervening.
The broadcast of the livestream reached at least half a million people, raising urgent questions about how such content was allowed to continue unchecked.
Critics describe Kick as 'a playground for people to be degenerate,' with the site hosting streams of animals being tortured, people being shot with paintballs, and creators being beaten for entertainment.
