India, April 17 -- Streamer Sneako, whose real name is Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, was caught on livestream being punched and pepper-sprayed on a Manhattan street on Tuesday, April 14.

The incident, which happened live with thousands tuned in, quickly went viral and sparked a larger debate about the increasing safety concerns for live streamers.

The recorded video showed Sneako walking down the street with his phone in his hand. The attacker, identified as an unknown man wearing a Dr. Pepper T-shirt, approached him and punched him in the face. He attacked then pulled him down to the sidewalk.

A report by the CBS News noted Sneako sustained injuries that were not severe and he told arriving NYPD officers that he was pepper-sprayed and a...