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Wondering just how smart that ring of yours is?
Some users are swapping their Oura Rings for other not-so-smart rings and weaker wearable fitness trackers. It’s not the rings themselves raising eyebrows — I’m wearing mine right now — it’s the brand’s connection to the Department of Defense and Palantir, a large-scale data software analytics company founded by Trump enthusiast Peter Thiel.
In 2025, Oura expanded its long-standing partnership with the DoD, supplying thousands of rings to military personnel to track readiness, sleep, stress and more.
While Oura’s CEO assured that consumer data is never sold or shared, many users remain skeptical of the company’s ties to defense contractors.
“It’s not that Oura Ring is selling your data, it’s that your data is being used to feed this Palantir algorithm or whatever algorithm the U.S. government is using to look at the population,” one TikToker explained in their video.
While some are ditching smart rings altogether, other social media users have been buzzing about budget-friendly alternatives that offer many of the same health-tracking features. Some options — like the popular BOYACARE Smart Ring — retail for hundreds less.
BOYACARE Smart Ring
AmazonThese $130 smart rings offer many of the same features as the Oura Ring — including heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, HRV, temperature and menstrual cycle tracking. They also monitor sleep stages and provide detailed monthly reports to help users understand their habits.
The BOYACARE ring also offers a customizable vibration alarm that gently wakes you, plus it can alert you to calls when your phone isn’t nearby, so you never miss an important message (like it or not). It’s essentially a built-in personal alert system.
All health tracking and analytics are available continuously via the companion app, and the BOYACARE subscription is free, so whether you’re wary of big data or just want to save a little cash, BOYACARE could be your best bet.
However, before you completely write off the reigning champion of smart rings, it’s worth looking at the reality of how the company actually handles your information.
Addressing the rumors head-on, Oura has explicitly clarified its relationship with Palantir, stating that it does not, has never given, and will never give the data analytics company access to user data. In fact, Oura is not even operational on FedStart today, meaning absolutely zero Oura data — whether consumer or commercial — is currently interacting with Palantir systems.
For those still worried about the broader military partnership, Oura has also assured users that their DoD program is architected as a completely separate, secure environment from the consumer platform. Your daily sleep stats and stress scores aren’t mixing with military data; they remain in distinct, non-commingled systems.
So, if your primary reason for jumping ship was data privacy, you might want to reconsider, because when it comes to accuracy and comprehensive health tracking, the Oura Ring is still tough to beat.
Oura Ring 4
AmazonWhile budget-friendly alternatives are currently having a moment on TikTok, there’s a reason the Oura Ring 4 remains the gold standard for wearable health tech. If you’re willing to invest a bit more (and can rest easy knowing your personal data is secure), this latest iteration is an absolute powerhouse.
The Oura Ring 4 boasts upgraded, ultra-precise sensors for tracking your sleep architecture, stress levels, blood oxygen and heart rate, all packed into over 7 sleek, lightweight titanium or ceramic designs that give high-end jewelry, not clunky fitness tracker.
Rather than just overwhelming you with raw data, Oura’s user-friendly app provides personalized, actionable insights that genuinely help you optimize your daily routine and recovery. For anyone who wants an accurate picture of their overall health without compromising style or reliability, the Oura Ring 4 remains the ultimate smart ring investment.
More wearables on Amazon
A slightly older model, the Oura Ring Gen3 Heritage still offers deep biometric tracking, including sleep, readiness, temperature and more in a waterproof, durable ring.
This smartwatch offers a 1.83-inch HD display, Bluetooth calling and built-in Alexa. With 120+ sport modes, heart rate tracking and waterproofing, it’s a solid budget-friendly pick.
The Milivan slim 2.0 ring is equipped with an advanced 5.0 sensor, auto-measures heart rate, HRV, blood oxygen, blood pressure and stress every 30 minutes.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
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