Privacy Statement

Prime Academic Press LLC (“Prime Academic Press”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of our users, authors, reviewers, librarians, and visitors (“you” or “your”). This Privacy Statement explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our website, submission system, and services, including during user registration, author manuscript submission, and peer review processes. This statement complies with applicable international data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, as well as certain information automatically collected when you use our services. The types of information we collect include:

  • Account Registration Data: Your full name, email address, institutional affiliation, ORCID identifier, username, and password when you register an account.
  • Manuscript and Publication Data: Author names, affiliations, contact information, manuscript details, funding acknowledgments, and related metadata submitted during the publication process.
  • Reviewer and Editor Data: Information provided by reviewers and editors, including their names, affiliations, contact details, and review comments, to support the peer review process.
  • Usage and Technical Data: IP address, device information, browser type, access times, pages viewed, and other usage data collected automatically to improve our website and services.
  • Communication Data: Content of emails, messages, and other communications you send to us, including inquiries, support requests, and feedback.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information only for specific, stated purposes related to our academic publishing services, including:

  • Creating and managing your user account, including authentication and access to our services.
  • Processing, reviewing, and managing manuscript submissions, peer review, and publication workflows.
  • Communicating with you about your submissions, account status, updates to our services, and relevant academic information.
  • Verifying your identity and eligibility to use our services, including preventing fraud and unauthorized access.
  • Improving our website, submission system, and services based on user feedback and usage data.
  • Complying with legal obligations, including regulatory requirements and court orders.
  • Protecting the rights, property, and safety of Prime Academic Press, our users, and the public.

3. Sharing and Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

  • With Authorized Personnel: Shared with our editorial staff, reviewers, editors, and service providers who need access to perform their duties related to publication and peer review. All such personnel are bound by confidentiality obligations.
  • With Third-Party Service Providers: Shared with trusted third-party vendors who assist us with website hosting, email delivery, data storage, and other services, provided they agree to protect your data in compliance with applicable laws.
  • Legal Requirements: Disclosed if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others.
  • Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business, your personal information may be transferred as part of the transaction, subject to the same privacy protections outlined in this statement.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Encryption of sensitive data in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols.
  • Access controls and authentication procedures to limit access to personal data to authorized personnel only.
  • Regular security audits and updates to our systems to address potential vulnerabilities.
  • Secure backup procedures to prevent data loss.

While we take reasonable steps to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data, and you use our services at your own risk.

5. Your Rights as a User

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights under applicable data protection laws:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal or operational requirements.
  • Restriction of Processing: Request that we limit the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances.
  • Data Portability: Request transfer of your personal data to another controller, where applicable.
  • Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal data, where processing is based on consent.
  • Objection: Object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to valid requests within the timeframes required by applicable law.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your user experience, analyze website usage, and improve our services. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.

  • Necessary Cookies: Required for the basic functionality of our website, including user authentication, session management, and access to secure areas. These cookies cannot be disabled.
  • Analytical Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. These cookies help us improve our website and services.
  • Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences, such as language settings, to provide a personalized experience.

You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

7. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for use by children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

8. Changes to This Privacy Statement

We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or technological advancements. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated statement on our website, with the revised "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after the effective date of the updated statement constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

9. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Statement or our handling of your personal information, please contact our editorial team:

Prime Academic Press LLC
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://primeacademic.org