The suspension of the Simon Pérez and Silvia Charro channel on Kick, the platform where they conducted broadcasts receiving donations for performing humiliating acts live, is now permanent. The company closed their account after their case gained media attention due to Pérez’s situation, as he had been consuming drugs during the streams and exhibited notable physical decline. However, Kick had previously allowed them to resume activity after 14 days.
This return coincided with the death of French streamer Jean Pormanove during a live broadcast on the same platform. After 12 uninterrupted days of streaming, during which he was subjected to humiliating and violent acts by two other men participating in the stream, Pormanove passed away while asleep.
The incident in France prompted Kick to block the channels of Pérez and Charro once again, although the company did not provide explanations when contacted by elDiario.es. Now, in statements to El País, a spokeswoman has indicated that they have decided to extend the suspension.
“Kick’s community standards and terms of service make it very clear that streamers and users must comply with all laws and regulations of their country. If they are no longer on our platform — and have not left voluntarily — you can infer that we have taken action due to a violation,” she stated.
Kick, known for having one of the most lenient moderation policies in the streaming sector, has not provided specific details about the alleged violations. Borja Adsuara, a legal expert in digital rights, explained in a report for this medium what the legal situation regarding the channels of Pérez and Charro might be. In Spain, carrying out humiliating acts or self-harm for money is not a crime, but it is a crime to incite others to commit suicide or inflict harm upon themselves.
Pérez and Charro’s channel had become characterised by these types of dynamics with viewers. They would send donations in exchange for Pérez to do what they requested, including drinking his own urine, consuming drugs in a prescribed manner, dressing in costumes, or insulting other individuals in public.
Pérez and Charro rose to fame following the viral spread of a video in which they recommended fixed-rate mortgages while under the influence of cocaine, as they later admitted. Both lost their jobs and descended into a spiral of self-destruction, which was particularly pronounced in Pérez’s case.
Kick’s policy is to allow “creators to express themselves freely to transmit entertaining and engaging content,” “encouraging” viewers to distance themselves from any content or interaction that does not align with their values. However, Pormanove’s death has ignited a debate regarding the extremes to which the platform is reaching.
In France, Kick has indefinitely suspended the accounts of all involved in the incident. The French prosecutor has opened an investigation into the humiliations against the deceased and other streamers, while the Minister for Digital Affairs, Clara Chappaz, has described the events as “horrific” and labelled the platform as a “digital wild west.”
The preliminary autopsy of Pormanove has revealed that he did not die due to the blows he received during the live broadcast in which he passed away; however, the prosecutor in charge of the case has requested further forensic evidence.
