• French Prosecutors Open Investigation Into Streaming Platform Kick, Issue Arrest Warrants
PARIS, France – The Paris prosecutor’s office on January 27, 2026, opened a judicial investigation into the streaming platform Kick and its managers, seeking arrest warrants after they failed to appear for a scheduled hearing.
What is new?
French authorities have escalated legal action against the live-streaming company Kick. On Tuesday, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced the opening of a formal judicial investigation into the company and its legal and de facto managers. The prosecutor has also requested the issuance of arrest warrants for the individuals named in the investigation. This action follows the failure of the company’s managers to attend scheduled auditions with investigators.
Background of the Investigation
The investigation is connected to the death of a video creator known as “Jean Pormanove” on August 18, 2025. Following the incident, the Paris prosecutor’s office, in coordination with the prosecutor in Nice, launched a preliminary inquiry on August 25, 2025. The case was assigned to France’s anti-cybercrime office (OFAC).
The judicial investigation is being pursued on several charges, including the illicit provision of an online platform by an organized group, money laundering, failure to assist a person in danger, failure to prevent a crime against bodily integrity, and the dissemination of a recording showing a voluntary attack on a person’s integrity.
Procedural Developments
According to the prosecutor’s statement, the investigation initially involved exchanges with Kick’s legal representatives, who were granted access to the case file. An agreement was reached to schedule an audition for the company’s managers to provide their observations on the alleged facts and on any compliance measures taken since the streamer’s death. Despite being informed of the agreed-upon date, the accused individuals did not present themselves for the hearing, prompting the prosecutor to open the formal investigation and seek arrest warrants.
About this company
Kick is a live-streaming platform founded in 2022 that primarily features video games, entertainment, and interactive content. It has positioned itself as a competitor to established platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. The company gained prominence by offering generous financial incentives to streamers, such as high revenue shares, and by employing a less restrictive content moderation policy.