In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, Google is reportedly close to completing its largest acquisition ever, despite ongoing antitrust scrutiny from regulators around the world.

The search giant is poised to acquire the Indian e-commerce company, Flipkart, for a staggering $15 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. This deal would not only surpass Google’s previous largest acquisition, the $12.5 billion purchase of Waze in 2013, but also mark a significant expansion into the fast-growing Indian e-commerce market.

Despite the excitement surrounding the deal, regulators in both the United States and India are expected to scrutinize the transaction closely. Antitrust concerns have already been raised over the potential impact of Google’s increased presence in the Indian e-commerce space, as well as the consequences of consolidating an already fragmented market.

In recent years, Google has faced increasing scrutiny from regulators around the world, including the European Union, the United States, and India. The company has faced criticism for its dominance in the search engine and online advertising markets, and has been accused of using its market power to stifle competition and innovation.

The proposed acquisition of Flipkart, which is India’s largest e-commerce company, has sparked concerns that Google could use its dominant position in the search engine market to favor its own e-commerce platform over those of its competitors. This could lead to reduced competition and choice for consumers, as well as stifling innovation and investment in the Indian e-commerce market.

In addition, the acquisition has raised concerns over data privacy and security, as Google’s ownership of Flipkart could potentially grant the company access to a vast amount of sensitive user data. This has raised concerns among regulators and consumer groups, who have called for closer scrutiny of the deal.

Despite these concerns, Google is expected to push through with the acquisition, citing the potential for growth and innovation in the Indian e-commerce market. The deal is expected to be completed in the coming months, pending regulatory approval.

The acquisition of Flipkart is a significant shift in Google’s strategy, as the company has traditionally focused on its core business of search and advertising. However, the growth of e-commerce and mobile payments has forced the company to expand its offerings and push into new markets.

In recent years, Google has made significant investments in its e-commerce capabilities, including the acquisition of shopping platform Pixatec and the launch of its own e-commerce platform, Google Shopping. The acquisition of Flipkart would further solidify Google’s position in the Indian e-commerce market, and provide the company with a significant foothold in the rapidly growing market.

The future of the acquisition is far from certain, as regulators and consumer groups prepare to scrutinize the deal. However, one thing is clear: the acquisition of Flipkart would mark a major shift in Google’s strategy and a significant expansion into the Indian e-commerce market.