Deepinder Goyal’s Wearable Startup Temple Faces Scrutiny Over Health Claims

NEW DELHI — Temple, a wearable fitness device developed by entrepreneur Deepinder Goyal, has drawn scrutiny from medical professionals in India over its claims of tracking real-time blood flow to the brain.

The device, priced at ₹85,000 ($907), measures less than 1 inch in width and weighs under 2 grams. It attaches to the side of the head between the forehead and the ear. Promotional materials state that the device features a 'BrainFlow' metric to monitor blood supply to the brain and an 'Entropy' feature to detect how hard the body works to shed heat. The product also claims to provide thermal, immune, digestive, cognitive, and emotional readings.

The device has been showcased by prominent Indian sportspersons, including cricket captain Shubman Gill and Olympic medal-winning badminton player P.V. Sindhu. However, several doctors have raised concerns regarding the lack of peer-reviewed research supporting its capabilities. Critics, including hepatologist Cyriac Philips and paediatrician Sanjeev Bagai, have publicly questioned the device's claims on social media and television, calling for the product to be brought under the purview of medical regulators.

In response to the criticism, Deepinder Goyal stated that Temple is a fitness and wellness device, not a medical one. In a statement to Reuters, the company noted that BrainFlow and Entropy are new metrics based on emerging science, with further research planned and eventual regulatory approval needed for certain metrics.

Medical critics have specifically pointed out technical limitations in optical signals placed over the temple skin, arguing they can only capture data from the superficial temporal artery supplying blood to the face and skin. India’s health ministry has not responded to queries regarding the public debate.

The controversy mirrors global debates on the distinction between consumer fitness features and medical tools, following similar scrutiny faced by overseas wearable makers such as Apple and Whoop over features like hypertension and blood-pressure tracking.

Goyal, best known for co-founding Eternal—the parent company of food-delivery firm Zomato—stepped down as chief executive of Eternal earlier this year to focus on Temple. The startup raised $54 million in February at a valuation of approximately $190 million and lists academic advisors from the University of Ottawa and Harvard. According to Goyal, the company has received orders from more than 62 countries since November 1, and its website indicates ongoing development for features to detect snoring and jaw clenching.

"The intersection of consumer wellness and medical technology is a complex regulatory landscape. When high-profile startups introduce unverified health metrics, they inevitably attract scrutiny from the medical community. For founders and investors, navigating this gray area requires clear communication, transparent scientific backing, and proactive engagement with regulators to maintain consumer trust and long-term viability." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes