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Publisher: Inspire Science and Tech Publisher (ISTP)

Inspire Science and Tech Publisher (ISTP) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of all users of its website and publishing platform, including authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and other visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how personal data are collected, used, stored, shared, and protected in connection with our journals, publishing services, and website operations.

By registering on our website, submitting a manuscript, participating in peer review, subscribing to communications, or otherwise using our services, you acknowledge that your personal data may be processed in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

1. Data We Collect

ISTP may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

  • full name
  • title and professional position
  • institutional affiliation
  • email address
  • postal address
  • telephone number
  • ORCID iD and other researcher identifiers
  • username and account login details
  • manuscript submission data
  • reviewer comments and editorial communications
  • correspondence records
  • payment-related information, where applicable
  • technical data such as IP address, browser type, device information, and website usage data

We collect only the personal data necessary for the administration of journal operations, editorial and peer-review processes, publication, archiving, indexing, communication, and related publishing activities.

2. How We Collect Data

Personal data may be collected through:

  • user registration on the journal or publisher website
  • manuscript submission and revision
  • peer-review participation
  • editorial and production correspondence
  • newsletter or contact form submissions
  • website browsing and technical cookies
  • direct communication with the publisher or editorial office

3. Purpose of Data Processing

ISTP processes personal data for legitimate publishing and administrative purposes, including:

  • managing user accounts
  • processing manuscript submissions
  • administering peer review and editorial decisions
  • communicating with authors, reviewers, editors, and readers
  • producing, publishing, and archiving scholarly articles
  • indexing and disseminating published content
  • maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record
  • improving website functionality and user experience
  • complying with legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Where applicable under relevant data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ISTP processes personal data on one or more of the following legal bases:

  • the data subject’s consent
  • performance of a contract or steps prior to entering into a contract
  • compliance with legal obligations
  • legitimate interests pursued by the publisher, including the operation of scholarly publishing services, journal administration, and the protection of publication integrity

5. Use and Disclosure of Personal Data

Personal data collected by ISTP will be used solely for purposes related to journal management, scholarly publishing, and publisher operations. Personal information will not be sold, rented, or disclosed to third parties for commercial marketing purposes.

Data may be shared where necessary with:

  • editors and editorial staff
  • reviewers, where relevant to the editorial process
  • publishing and production service providers
  • indexing, abstracting, and archiving services
  • website hosting and technical support providers
  • legal or regulatory authorities, where required by law
  • institutions or organizations in cases involving research integrity, ethics investigations, or legal obligations

Any such sharing will be limited to what is necessary for legitimate publishing purposes.

6. Published Information

Certain personal data form part of the scholarly record and may be published as part of an article or related metadata. This may include:

  • author names
  • institutional affiliations
  • corresponding author contact details
  • ORCID iDs
  • acknowledgments
  • funding information
  • conflict-of-interest disclosures
  • biographical or contributor information where applicable

Once published, such information may remain publicly available as part of the permanent academic record.

7. Data Retention

ISTP retains personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill editorial, publishing, legal, contractual, and archival purposes. Because scholarly publishing relies on the maintenance of a permanent academic record, certain data associated with published articles, editorial history, and peer review may need to be retained indefinitely or for extended periods.

Personal data that are no longer required may be deleted, anonymized, or securely archived, subject to applicable legal and operational requirements.

8. Data Security

ISTP takes reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. These measures may include secure servers, password protection, restricted access controls, and other appropriate safeguards.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. While ISTP makes every reasonable effort to protect personal information, absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

9. International Data Transfers

As an international scholarly publisher, ISTP may process or store personal data in countries other than the user’s country of residence. By using our services, users acknowledge that their data may be transferred internationally where necessary for journal management, publication, hosting, archiving, or technical support.

Where required, ISTP will take reasonable steps to ensure that such transfers are carried out in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.

10. Cookies and Website Data

The ISTP website may use cookies or similar technologies to improve website functionality, analyze traffic, remember user preferences, and enhance the user experience. Technical information such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited may be collected for security, analytics, and operational purposes.

Users may manage cookie settings through their browser preferences, although disabling certain cookies may affect website performance or functionality.

11. Rights of Data Subjects

Subject to applicable law, users may have the right to:

  • request access to their personal data
  • request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
  • request deletion of personal data where appropriate
  • request restriction of processing
  • object to certain forms of processing
  • request data portability where applicable
  • withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

These rights are not absolute and may be limited where data must be retained for legal reasons, editorial recordkeeping, research integrity, or preservation of the scholarly record.

Requests relating to personal data should be submitted through the official publisher contact details.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

The ISTP website or published articles may contain links to third-party websites, repositories, indexing services, or external platforms. ISTP is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or policies of those third-party services. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any external websites they visit.

13. Children’s Privacy

ISTP’s publishing platform and services are intended for researchers, academics, professionals, and adults engaged in scholarly activities. The publisher does not knowingly collect personal data from children except where permitted by law and clearly necessary for a legitimate purpose.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

ISTP reserves the right to revise this Privacy Policy from time to time in order to reflect legal, operational, or technical changes. Any updated version will be posted on the website and will take effect from the date of publication.

Users are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy periodically to remain informed about how personal data are handled.

15. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or the processing of personal data, please contact:

Inspire Science and Tech Publisher (ISTP)