A new class action lawsuit alleges that Oura's sleep-tracking technology is inaccurate and misleads consumers through deceptive marketing tactics.

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Oura, alleging the company uses unlawful marketing to mislead consumers about the accuracy of its smart ring's sleep-tracking features. The plaintiff claims the device lacks the necessary sensors to measure neurological activity, describing the product's sleep-stage assessments as having only a "coin flip's chance" of being correct.

Allegations of inaccurate tracking

The complaint, filed by plaintiff Madison Surber, argues that the Oura Ring lacks essential sensors—such as those for brain waves, eye movement, and muscle movement—required to accurately determine sleep stages. The lawsuit asserts that Oura’s AI models rely on improper inputs, effectively guessing at sleep patterns rather than providing reliable scientific data. Surber, who purchased the device for $503, claims she paid an unwarranted premium based on marketing promises the ring failed to meet.

Scientific claims and industry impact

The lawsuit cites a Nature study that reported the Oura Ring achieved a 53% success rate in correctly assessing sleep stages, characterizing this as "limited accuracy." The complaint argues that because sleep occurs in the brain, data collected from the finger is insufficient for diagnostic purposes. This legal challenge could have broader implications for the health wearables industry, which relies on biometric signals like heart rate and body temperature to track sleep and stress.

Oura's response

In a statement to ZDNET, Oura defended its technology, stating that it stands behind its science, research, and accuracy claims. The company maintains that there is peer-reviewed, independent scientific evidence showing that sleep stages are associated with measurable physiological changes, which allows these signals to be reliably used for classification.