Table of Contents
- 1. Overview
- 2. Information We Collect
- 3. How We Use Your Information
- 4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
- 5. Data Security
- 6. Your Rights and Choices
- 7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
- 8. International Data Transfers
- 9. Data Retention
- 10. Children's Privacy
- 11. Third-Party Links
- 12. Changes to This Policy
- 13. Contact Information
1. Overview
WiseLeaf Scientific Ventures ("WiseLeaf," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with our scientific publishing platform.
This policy applies to:
- Our website and online platforms
- Journal submission and peer review systems
- Conference and webinar registrations
- Subscription services and digital publications
- Customer support and communications
Key Points
- We process your data lawfully, fairly, and transparently
- We collect only necessary information for our services
- Your data is protected with industry-standard security measures
- You have control over your personal information
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:
- Create an account: Name, email address, institutional affiliation, professional title
- Submit manuscripts: Author information, research data, institutional details
- Register for events: Contact details, dietary requirements, accessibility needs
- Subscribe to services: Billing information, payment details, preferences
- Contact us: Communication records, support requests
2.2 Professional Information
- Academic credentials and qualifications
- Research interests and expertise areas
- Publication history and citations
- Peer review activities and editorial roles
- Conference presentations and abstracts
2.3 Technical Information
We automatically collect certain information when you use our services:
- IP address and geographical location
- Browser type, version, and operating system
- Device information and screen resolution
- Website usage patterns and navigation data
- Session duration and page views
- Referral sources and search terms
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Publishing Services
- Processing manuscript submissions and peer reviews
- Managing editorial workflows and communications
- Publishing accepted articles and research
- Maintaining publication records and metrics
3.2 Service Operations
- Creating and managing user accounts
- Processing payments and subscriptions
- Providing customer support and assistance
- Organizing conferences and webinars
3.3 Communications
- Sending service-related notifications
- Providing updates on editorial decisions
- Sharing relevant research opportunities
- Marketing communications (with consent)
3.4 Platform Improvement
- Analyzing usage patterns and user behavior
- Improving website functionality and user experience
- Developing new features and services
- Ensuring security and preventing fraud
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data based on:
- Contract performance: To provide publishing and subscription services
- Legitimate interests: To improve our services and prevent fraud
- Legal compliance: To meet regulatory and legal requirements
- Consent: For marketing communications and optional services
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:
4.1 Academic and Publishing Purposes
- Peer reviewers: Anonymous manuscript details for review purposes
- Editorial boards: Author information for editorial decisions
- Indexing services: Published article metadata for research databases
- Academic institutions: Publication metrics for evaluation purposes
4.2 Service Providers
- Payment processors for billing and subscriptions
- Cloud hosting providers for data storage
- Email service providers for communications
- Analytics services for website optimization
4.3 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required by law or to:
- Respond to legal requests and court orders
- Protect our rights and property
- Ensure user safety and platform security
- Investigate and prevent fraudulent activities
5. Data Security
We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information:
5.1 Technical Safeguards
- Encryption: Data encrypted in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols
- Access controls: Multi-factor authentication and role-based access
- Monitoring: 24/7 security monitoring and threat detection
- Backups: Regular automated backups with secure storage
5.2 Administrative Safeguards
- Employee security training and background checks
- Data handling policies and procedures
- Incident response and breach notification protocols
- Regular security audits and assessments
5.3 Physical Safeguards
- Secure data centers with restricted access
- Environmental monitoring and protection
- Equipment disposal and destruction procedures
Security Notice
While we implement robust security measures, no system is 100% secure. We encourage users to use strong passwords and report any suspicious activity immediately.
6. Your Rights and Choices
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
6.1 Access and Portability
- Access: Request copies of your personal data
- Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Transparency: Understand how your data is processed
6.2 Correction and Deletion
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
- Restriction: Limit processing of your information
6.3 Communication Preferences
- Opt-out of marketing communications
- Choose communication frequency and types
- Manage notification preferences
How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise your rights, contact our Data Protection Officer:
- Email: privacy@wiseleafscientific.com
- Phone: +1 (617) 555-0123
- Response time: Within 30 days
8. International Data Transfers
As a global scientific publishing platform, we may transfer your personal data internationally. We ensure adequate protection through:
8.1 Transfer Mechanisms
- Adequacy decisions: Transfers to countries with adequate data protection
- Standard contractual clauses: EU-approved data transfer agreements
- Binding corporate rules: Internal data protection standards
- Certification schemes: Recognized privacy frameworks
8.2 Geographic Locations
Your data may be processed in the following regions:
- Primary: United States (Boston headquarters)
- European Union: London office and EU data centers
- Asia-Pacific: Singapore office for regional operations
9. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy:
9.1 Retention Periods
- Account information: Duration of active account plus 3 years
- Published articles: Permanently for academic record
- Peer review data: 7 years after publication decision
- Financial records: 7 years for tax and audit purposes
- Marketing data: Until consent withdrawal or 2 years of inactivity
- Website analytics: 26 months maximum
9.2 Deletion Process
When retention periods expire, we:
- Securely delete personal information from active systems
- Anonymize data for statistical purposes
- Remove identifiers from archived records
- Notify relevant third parties of deletion requirements
10. Children's Privacy
Our services are designed for academic and professional use. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16 years of age.
If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 16, we will:
- Delete the information immediately
- Notify the parent or guardian if possible
- Terminate the associated account
- Review our age verification processes
If you believe we have collected information from a child under 16, please contact us immediately at privacy@wiseleafscientific.com.
11. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, and resources. This privacy policy does not apply to external sites.
11.1 External Services
We may link to or integrate with:
- Academic databases and indexing services
- Social media platforms and research networks
- Payment processors and financial institutions
- Conference and event management platforms
- Cloud storage and collaboration tools
11.2 User Responsibility
When accessing third-party services, we recommend that you:
- Review their privacy policies and terms of service
- Understand their data collection and usage practices
- Configure privacy settings according to your preferences
- Report any concerns or issues to us
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or service offerings.
12.1 Notification Process
For significant changes, we will:
- Email registered users at least 30 days before changes take effect
- Display prominent notifications on our website
- Update the "Last Modified" date at the top of this policy
- Maintain an archive of previous policy versions
12.2 Your Options
If you disagree with policy changes, you may:
- Contact us to discuss concerns
- Update your privacy preferences
- Close your account before changes take effect
- Exercise your data protection rights
13. Contact Information
Data Protection Officer
Dr. Emily Rodriguez
Chief Privacy Officer
- privacy@wiseleafscientific.com
- +1 (617) 555-0123
- Response within 48 hours
Legal Department
WiseLeaf Legal Team
Privacy and Compliance
- legal@wiseleafscientific.com
- +1 (617) 555-0124
- 245 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142
EU Representative
WiseLeaf Europe Ltd
GDPR Compliance Officer
- eu-privacy@wiseleafscientific.com
- +44 20 7946 0958
- 1 King's College Circle, London WC2R 2LS
Our Privacy Commitment
At WiseLeaf Scientific Ventures, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data protection and privacy. We continuously review and improve our practices to ensure your information remains secure and your privacy rights are respected.