Key Findings
- Oura Ring collects more than 50 health metrics that can help create detailed digital health profiles that are valuable to insurers, health technology companies and potentially governments.
- Users have raised concerns about the collaboration between Oura and Palantir, as the former uses the latter's FedStart platform to fulfill its agreement with the Department of Defense.
- Oura says it will not sell or share data without consent, is GDPR/HIPAA compliant, uses enterprise settings for DoD, and claims that Palantir cannot access user data; Trump-era health metering efforts are underway.
- The privacy policy allows data sharing with consent, in accordance with legal obligations or “legitimate interests” (such as mergers and acquisitions), and also promises to resist surveillance-motivated requests, notify users when it is legal to do so, and allow users to delete their data.
Oura Health has recently come under fire from users over its partnership with the US Department of Defense (DoD), which involves collaboration with data mining company Palantir.
Specifically, Oura will use the FedStart platform, a platform as a service. This allows companies to offer their services to the US government without having to manage complex security compliance themselves.
Users also expressed concern when the Trump administration announced it was collaborating with tech giants like Oura to develop a universal health record system.
Should you be worried about your sleep and health data after Oura's partnership with the US government and its collaboration with Palantir? Read on to find out more.
For our readers unfamiliar with Oura Health, it is a Finnish company that sells a ring for monitoring sleep, fitness, and other health indicators.
Business sleep
We live in a sleep-deprived world. According to ResMed Global Sleep StudyAlmost 4 in 10 people worldwide get less than three nights of quality sleep per week.
With many people around the world not getting enough sleep, technology companies are releasing various wearable devices to help users understand and improve their sleep patterns.
It's no surprise that the global sleep technology market is projected to grow from From $29.3 billion in 2025 to $134.7 billion. in 2034.
The company has sold more than 3 million rings over the past year and is expected to reach a valuation of $11 billion. after a recent funding round.
Oura Health's growth is evident not only in the numbers, but also in its widespread adoption among technology executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Delland David Risher.
Promotion of CEO level David Risher even mentioned that he checks ring report every day after brushing his teeth to get an idea of ​​how restful his sleep was the night before
Along with Oura's growth and its potential for health benefits comes a deeper question: What might happen to all the personal health data it collects?
When well-being turns into big data
Oura is a smart ring that can be worn on any finger. It tracks over 50 health and wellness metrics throughout the day and night. These indicators are distributed according to Sleep and rest, Heart Health, Stress, Women's healthAnd Activity and movement.
However, the ring collects data that reveals much more than just your bedtime habits. Over time, these readings can create a comprehensive health profile that insurance and health technology companies are always seeking. In addition, governments may also be interested in citizens' health data for various policy purposes.
USA President, Donald Trump launches health tracking system with the help of big tech companies is such an example, and Oura Health is part of it.
Additionally, Oura Health's partnership with the US Department of Defense and collaboration with Palantir expressed concern about the privacy of user health data.
At this point, it's natural to wonder: can you really trust that your health data will be safe when using the Oura Smart Ring?
How secure is your data?
Following backlash over privacy issues, Oura Health's CEO released a statement saying the privacy and security of users' health data is non-negotiable.
the company blog mentions that Oura will oppose law enforcement if they demand access to user data for surveillance and prosecution purposes.
Regarding the Department of Defense deal, Oura said it will never share your data with the Department of Defense or other government organizations. The Department of Defense and government contracts use the Oura Enterprise solution, which includes additional security measures. If you are not a military member and have not enrolled in DoD's health or human performance program, your information will not be shared with DoD.
What's more, Trump's health tracker is voluntary, so you can opt out if you don't want to share your Oura ring data with the government.
But should you be worried about Oura's connections to Palantir?
CEO of Oura Health, Tom Hale, mentioned that Oura and Palantir systems are not connected. This way, Palantir cannot access user data, eliminating any data mining threat from the company.
Notably, the collaboration with Palantir has been at the forefront of privacy concerns.
Oura will never sell your data. We will never share your data without your consent or permission. If you want to take part in a scientific study and want to do it? Big. We're going to give you the tools to do that.
However, consent and authorization can be difficult to obtain, and many of us often fail to read lengthy privacy policies.
What does Oura's privacy policy say? Find out in the next section.
Can you really be calm
We have reviewed Ours privacy policy document to learn more about data collection and sharing practices.
Oura may share your data in certain circumstances when:
- Users have given explicit permission.
- Oura needs data for legitimate interests such as mergers or acquisitions.
- Oura must protect its legal rights and property.
In addition, the company may also disclose your personal data if there is a valid legal requirement. But it will oppose a legal request to release data if the motive is surveillance or prosecution. It will also notify you within the legally permitted time of such request.
When Oura shares your data with third party service providers, it uses industry standard data protection measures. Its privacy policy states:
Whenever we share data with third party service providers, we require that they use your information only for the purposes that we authorize and for the limited reasons explained in this Policy. We also require that these service providers protect your personal information to at least the same standards as we do.
We found its privacy policy be firm and company GDPR compliant And HIPAA. Given Oura's commitment to the privacy and security of medical data, and a review of its privacy policies, it is reasonable to assume that the ring poses little risk to the privacy of your medical data.
It also offers you the option to remove your data from its system, leaving nothing left for anyone to retrieve.
Oura CEO's words add confidence:
Your data is your data, and if someone tries to get it from us, we will let you know first.
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