The streaming platform Kick has officially overhauled its community guidelines this week, introducing a series of strict prohibitions on dangerous content.
This sudden regulatory shift follows a period of intense global scrutiny after a high-profile creator tragically died during a live broadcast. By implementing these new safety standards, the site aims to distance itself from its controversial reputation and protect both its users and its future.
From Lawless Beginnings to Stricter Moderation
For several years, Stake-owned Kick has positioned itself as Amazon's Twitch's main rival by maintaining a much more hands-off approach to its creators. The platform originally gained a reputation for being lawless, as bans were rarely issued and permanent removals were even rarer. This lenient stance only began to shift after influential figures like Felix 'xQc' Lengyel pushed for the site to take moderation more seriously. Still, these stricter measures failed to prevent dangerous content from making it to air.
The Tragic Incident that Forced Kick's Hand
The most harrowing example involved French star Raphaël Graven, known online as Jean Pormanove, who lost his life after a 'ten days and nights of torture' stream.
The tragic death of Graven occurred on 18 August 2025 during a 'marathon' broadcast that had reportedly been running for over 280 hours. Viewers became concerned when Graven appeared motionless on a mattress, but rather than receiving immediate medical help, he was allegedly subjected to further mistreatment by co-streamers who slapped him and threw a water bottle at his face to 'check' if he was still alive.
While a preliminary autopsy indicated that his death was not caused by direct physical trauma, investigators are still examining the roles of exhaustion, potential cardiovascular issues, and the 'torture' conditions of the stream. French authorities have since launched a judicial investigation into the 'abuse business' surrounding the broadcast, with the government vowing to sue Kick for negligence in failing to halt the dangerous material.
Hey KICK Community. We’ve made some updates to the Community Guidelines. All good things:https://t.co/VMWaS7kv9b
— Santamaria (@Svntvmvriv) March 22, 2026
On 22 March, Kick announced a major overhaul of its community standards to improve safety across the platform.
These updated regulations focus heavily on self-harm content, making it clear: 'We do not permit content that promotes, encourages, or instructs acts that pose a serious risk to personal safety, including self-harm or suicide. This standard extends to the depiction of substance abuse, eating disorders, and the reckless endangerment of oneself or others... creators must not put themselves in unsafe situations that could lead to serious injury or death.'
Cracking Down on Dangerous Pranks and Public Disruption
The site is also cracking down on reckless driving and provocative prank videos. According to the updated guidelines, 'Creators must avoid actions that cause significant public disruption or panic. This includes pranks designed to incite fear and any conduct that leads to the unnecessary involvement of emergency services.'
The platform now mandates that those filming in public or high-risk locations must adhere to local regulations while protecting the public.
The rules state: 'When streaming in public or sensitive areas, creators are required to follow local laws and ensure they are not harassing or exploiting unwilling participants or vulnerable individuals. Conduct that creates a serious risk of physical harm, such as dangerous driving, the reckless operation of machinery, or endangering bystanders, is not permitted.'
Stricter Controls on AI Deepfakes and Minor Safety
In addition, the platform now requires any realistic AI-generated videos to be clearly tagged, while deepfakes and any content designed to spread misinformation about global news are strictly prohibited. The site has also introduced much tighter restrictions concerning younger users, banning creators from interacting with children alone and ensuring no minor appears on stream without a parent or legal guardian's direct involvement.
Preparing the Platform for an Advertiser-Friendly Future
These updates follow several months after Kick's CEO, Eddie Craven, announced that advertisements would be introduced to the site. This push for stricter moderation is likely the first move toward making the platform more attractive to potential brand partners.
The implementation of these rigorous guidelines marks a defining moment for Kick as it attempts to move away from its controversial past. By prioritising safety and transparency, the platform is clearly shifting its focus toward a more sustainable and professional future. Only time will tell if these stricter standards will be enough to satisfy both wary regulators and the advertisers the site is now eager to attract.
