1. Introduction
AfriResearch takes privacy seriously. This policy explains how personal data is collected, used, protected, and managed when users engage with the academic publication platform.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Account Information
- Full name and contact details
- Academic credentials and affiliations
- Email address and password
- Profile information such as bio and research interests
- ORCID ID and other professional identifiers
2.2 Publication Data
- Research papers and supplementary materials
- Author and co-author details
- Publication metadata and keywords
- Citations and references
2.3 Usage Information
- Access logs and activity timestamps
- Publication views and downloads
- Search queries and browsing activity
- Device and browser information
3. How We Use Your Information
- Process and publish research submissions
- Manage peer review workflows
- Generate digital certificates
- Process payments through supported providers
- Track publication metrics and analytics
- Send important updates and notifications
- Improve platform features and user experience
4. Data Security
- Encrypted data transmission with SSL or TLS
- Secure password hashing and storage
- Regular security maintenance and updates
- Access controls and authentication checks
- Backup and recovery procedures
5. Your Rights
- Access your personal data and publications
- Request corrections or updates
- Download data in portable form where applicable
- Delete your account and associated data
- Opt out of non-essential emails
- Control privacy settings and visibility
6. Data Sharing
Information is shared only when necessary, including with:
- Co-authors and collaborators where appropriate
- Peer reviewers, anonymized when required
- Payment processors for transaction handling
- Legal authorities when legally required
7. Cookie Policy
Cookies may be used for:
- Essential platform functionality
- User authentication and sessions
- Analytics and platform improvement
- User preferences and settings
8. Copyright Policies
- Authors retain full copyright of their work.
- AfriResearch is granted non-exclusive rights to distribute and display the work.
- Authors are responsible for ensuring submissions do not infringe third-party rights.
- All content must include proper citations and references for third-party materials.
- Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of published content is prohibited.
9. Ethical Policies
- All submissions must follow academic integrity and ethical research standards.
- Plagiarism, data fabrication, and falsification are strictly prohibited.
- Authors must disclose conflicts of interest related to their research.
- Peer reviewers must maintain confidentiality and provide unbiased feedback.
- AfriResearch may reject or remove content that violates ethical guidelines.