Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Scientific Publications ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website, submit manuscripts, review articles, or interact with our services.

2. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our services:

Personal Information You Provide

• Account Information: Name, email address, institutional affiliation, ORCID iD, username, and password.
• Manuscript Submission Data: Author information, co-author details, affiliations, research data, and manuscript files.
• Reviewer Information: Review preferences, expertise areas, review comments, and recommendations.
• Communication Data: Correspondence with our editorial office, feedback, and support requests.
• Payment Information: Billing details for article processing charges (APCs) or subscription fees.

Automatically Collected Information

• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, articles viewed, downloads, and search queries.
• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
• Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• To Provide Services: Process manuscript submissions, manage peer review, and publish accepted articles.
• To Communicate: Send notifications about submission status, review assignments, editorial decisions, and publication updates.
• To Improve Services: Analyze usage patterns, optimize website performance, and enhance user experience.
• To Maintain Security: Detect and prevent fraud, unauthorized access, and other security issues.
• To Comply with Legal Obligations: Fulfill legal requirements, respond to lawful requests, and enforce our terms.
• To Promote Open Access: Index published articles in search engines, databases, and repositories.

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With Your Consent: When you have given explicit permission to share your information.
• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist with website hosting, data analysis, payment processing, and email delivery.
• Academic Partners: Indexing services (Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) to increase discoverability of published research.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or government regulation.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic website functionality and security.
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences.
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website.
• Functional Cookies: Enable enhanced features like article recommendations.

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

6. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations).
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing under certain circumstances.
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw previously given consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at info@scipublications.com.

7. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission.
• Access Controls: Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis.
• Regular Audits: Periodic security assessments and vulnerability scanning.
• Data Minimization: Collection of only necessary information for specified purposes.
• Secure Storage: Industry-standard security measures for data storage.

Despite our efforts, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

9. International Data Transfers

We operate globally and may transfer your information to countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard Contractual Clauses approved by regulatory authorities.
• Data processing agreements with service providers.
• Compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable privacy laws.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date.
• Sending email notifications to registered users.
• Displaying a notice on our website for significant changes.

We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: