Kick cofounder Bijan Tehrani shuts down $49M fine rumors over the death of streamer Jean Pormanove, calling it “Not True”

Kick, a popular live streaming platform, has been under a lot of scrutiny recently. It has been surrounded by varied controversies that attracted regulatory and public attention.

Amidst all the chaos, rumors about significant fines related to one of such incidents circulated widely. However, Bijan Tehrani ensured to address the claims and offer needed clarification. His response was short and precise.

Bijan Tehrani dismisses the Kick facing fines rumor

Kick cofounder Bijan Tehrani, after the rumors of the platform facing $49 million fines from Australian regulators, has publicly denied the reports. In his direct and firm response, he addressed circulating reports head-on and said, “Not true.”

The potential penalty is linked allegedly to French Streamer Jean Pormanove death. The streamer passed away during the live broadcast.

The entire speculation has originated after the Australian eSafety Commissioner’s investigation statements into this matter. As Kick is based in Australia, the regulators there hold jurisdiction, and they even possess the authority to levy significant fines for non-compliance with online safety laws.

These laws mandate a platform to protect users from any harmful content, while enforcing their terms of service.

Kick faces increased scrutiny and pressure

The entire event, which ignited fierce debate on streamer accountability and safety over live-streaming, was not a one-time event. French officials decried Pormanove’s death as a national disgrace. They criticized the perceived lack of oversight. Prior to the Streamers’ death, he was also seen involved in extreme broadcasts with 2 other streamers.

These sessions have been described as involving violence as well as forced consumption of the harmful substances, and were widely condemned.The controversy surrounding the platform isn’t isolated. Just days after the death of Pormanove, another violent incident was streamed live on Kick. Streamer Raja Jackson assault incident got him banned as his footage showed him assaulting a wrestler who was unconscious at a public event.

This pattern placed Kick under the microscope and raised some serious questions about the platform’s ability to moderate live content in an effective way and ensure its users' safety.Tehrani’s denial comes amidst increased international scrutiny over the content moderation policies of Kick and the role of the platform towards society. While they all seek answers and want some accountability for the streamer’s death, the entire situation has placed Kick in the spotlight for its role in hosting controversial content.