Cyber news, tools & one smart career path.
5 min read
Quick Reality Check
Oura Ring, the popular wearable, is facing scrutiny over its Department of Defense ties.
What happened:
Oura Ring announced a new U.S. manufacturing facility to support contracts with the Department of Defense, calling the military its largest enterprise customer. Users discovered that Palantir provides the security layer for some Oura government projects, which sparked fears about surveillance.
Why it matters:
Wearables track some of the most personal details about us, so it’s no surprise people worry when government surveillance enters the picture. For groups that have already faced over-surveillance, like immigrants and minorities, the stakes feel even higher. This whole situation is a reminder of how fast trust can break down when tech companies don’t communicate clearly about their government work.
Read more, here.
60-Second Protection Fix
If you want to try to lock down your Oura ring, here are some settings you can turn on
What you can do:
Apple Health (iOS)
- Oura App → Menu → Settings → Apple Health.
- Enable Connect to Health (optional: Mindful Minutes).
- Apple Health → Profile → Privacy > Apps > Oura.
- Toggle data to share.
Health Connect (Android)
- Oura App → Menu → Settings → Health Connect.
- Open Health Connect → App permissions > Oura.
- Check your data sharing (sleep, steps, heart rate, etc.)
Just a reminder: Don’t view these settings as full protection. They only handle data sharing and should be combined with other security and privacy practices.
Must-Have Tool:
NordVPN
Oura Ring tracking data is a reminder that devices we use every day also collect sensitive information that needs protection. So..I treat these controversies as a cue to double down on privacy. A VPN helps by encrypting your internet traffic and blocking unwanted tracking, and we like NordVPN for its strong security features that keep personal data safe.
Check it out here and take your privacy back.
Check Out Chief Information Security Officer or CISO (aka “The Security Stewards”)
At Oura, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is the leader who makes sure your data stays safe. They don’t just check boxes for compliance, they make security clear and useful for you. For example, they work with PR to explain protections in plain language, with legal to keep promises accurate, and with support so you always get straight answers. A CISO who speaks openly and builds trust shows that your security is a real commitment (not just fine print).
Learn more about CISO in my Free Intro Course: Cyber Paths 101
What You Missed This Week
Oura Ring says data sharing is limited to DoD programs with consent, not the general public. Watch my video to see why this still raises privacy concerns and what to check before you share health data. Click the image or watch here.
What We're Hearing From You!
"This is so upsetting. I’ve had an Oura for 6+ years, and it’s given me truly so much invaluable info about what works best for my body. You don’t think this data would be…anonymous // not detectable of the actual person? "- @womenwhobreathe
The concerns are completely understandable, and many longtime Oura users are anxious. For now, Oura says it only works with the DoD through Palantir, so unless you are in specific DoD groups, there’s no reason to worry. I’ll keep you updated if that changes.
Let’s keep building together!
Stay protected,
Cybersecurity Girl
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