The International Journal of Data Science (IJoDS) values and respects the privacy of its authors, reviewers, readers, and website users. The journal is committed to ensuring the confidentiality and security of all personal information collected during the manuscript submission, review, and publication process. This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect personal data, in compliance with applicable privacy regulations and best practices.

Information Collection and Use

  1. Personal Information:

    • Personal details such as names, email addresses, affiliations, and contact information are collected from authors, reviewers, and editorial team members during the submission and peer-review process.
    • This information is used exclusively for communication, editorial operations, and publication purposes and will not be shared with unauthorized third parties.

  2. User Data:

    • The journal may collect non-personal data, such as IP addresses and browser types, from users accessing the journal website. This information is used to enhance website functionality, analyze user engagement, and improve services.

  3. Cookies:

    • The journal’s website uses cookies to optimize user experience. Users can manage their cookie preferences through their browser settings without affecting access to the site’s core features.

Confidentiality of Submissions and Reviews

  1. Manuscript Privacy:

    • All submitted manuscripts are treated as confidential documents. The content is shared only with the assigned editor(s), reviewers, and journal staff involved in the peer-review process.
    • Manuscripts and associated data are not disclosed to unauthorized individuals or organizations without the authors’ consent.

  2. Reviewer Anonymity:

    • The journal adheres to a double-blind peer-review process, ensuring that the identities of authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

  1. Restricted Sharing:

    • The journal does not sell, rent, or share personal data with third parties for marketing or other unrelated purposes.
    • Personal data may be shared with trusted third-party service providers (e.g., EBSCO Information Services) solely for indexing, archiving, and improving the journal's reach and visibility.

  2. Legal Obligations:

    • Personal information may be disclosed if required by law or to comply with legal processes.

Data Retention

The journal retains personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including editorial, peer-review, publication, and archiving purposes. Data may be anonymized and archived for statistical and research purposes, but only in a manner that does not compromise the identity of individuals.

Security Measures

The International Journal of Data Science implements industry-standard security measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. This includes secure storage of data, encrypted communication channels, and restricted access to sensitive information.

User Rights

Users of the journal’s website and services have the following rights:

  • Access and Correction: Individuals can request access to the personal information we hold and request corrections to inaccuracies.
  • Withdrawal of Consent: Authors, reviewers, or users can request the deletion of their personal data by contacting the journal’s editorial office, except where data retention is legally required.
  • Opt-Out Options: Users can opt out of receiving communications related to journal updates or promotions.

Updates to the Privacy Statement

The International Journal of Data Science reserves the right to update this Privacy Statement as needed to reflect changes in privacy laws, journal practices, or technological advancements. Any updates will be published on the journal’s website, and significant changes will be communicated directly to affected users when necessary.