Web Publisher Kindersmart.com, which maintains a website for parents with young children, filed a class action lawsuit against Google for removing its website from Google's index, causing considerable harm to its business. Traffic to the site allegedly fell by 70 percent and its revenue through Google's Adsense program dropped by 80 percent. According to Kindersmart.com it was never notified of its exclusion. Google's webmaster guidelines state it can ban a site it considers deceptive but Kindersmart.com alleges it has not violated the guidelines.
The suit alleges that Google violated Kindersmart.com's right to free speech under the US Constitution; violated section 2 of the Sherman Act by using a monopoly position to harm competitors; engaged in unfair practices and competition under California law; and committed defamation and libel. Kindersmart.com believes that other Web publishers have also been removed without just cause.
