Privacy Statement

Overview

The Journal of Smart Systems and Computing (JSSC) respects the privacy of authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and all users of the journal's online platform. The journal is committed to protecting personal information and ensuring transparency regarding the collection, use, storage, and protection of user data.

This Privacy Statement explains how personal information is collected, processed, and managed through the journal's website and Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform.

1. Information We Collect

The Journal of Smart Systems and Computing may collect personal information provided by users during registration, manuscript submission, peer review, and communication activities.

Information collected may include:

Authors and Contributors

  • Full name
  • Institutional affiliation
  • Department and organization details
  • Professional email address
  • Postal address (where required)
  • ORCID identifier
  • Academic profile information
  • Manuscript submission details
  • Funding information
  • Conflict of interest declarations
  • Correspondence records

Reviewers and Editors

  • Name and professional affiliation
  • Email address
  • Areas of expertise
  • Reviewer profile information
  • Editorial communication records
  • Review reports and recommendations

Readers and Website Users

  • Account registration information (where applicable)
  • Website usage information
  • Communication preferences
  • Subscription or notification preferences

2. Purpose of Data Collection

Personal information collected through the JSSC OJS platform is used only for legitimate journal operations, including:

  • Processing manuscript submissions.
  • Managing peer-review activities.
  • Communicating with authors, reviewers, and editors.
  • Maintaining editorial records.
  • Improving journal services and workflows.
  • Providing publication updates and notifications.
  • Ensuring compliance with publishing and ethical standards.
  • Maintaining the security and integrity of the journal platform.

The journal does not collect personal information beyond what is necessary for scholarly publishing activities.

3. Confidentiality of Personal Information

The Journal of Smart Systems and Computing treats all personal information as confidential.

Author, reviewer, and editor information is accessible only to authorised journal personnel who require such information for editorial and publishing activities.

During peer review:

  • Reviewer identities are protected according to the journal's peer-review policy.
  • Manuscript information is handled confidentially.
  • Editorial communications are not disclosed to unauthorised individuals.

4. Use of Personal Data in Published Articles

Information published with articles may include:

  • Author names
  • Institutional affiliations
  • ORCID identifiers (if provided)
  • Corresponding author information
  • Acknowledgments
  • Funding details
  • Research data availability statements

Such information is published to support transparency, attribution, and scholarly communication.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

The Journal of Smart Systems and Computing does not sell, rent, or share personal information for commercial purposes.

Personal information may only be disclosed when necessary:

  • To support journal publication activities.
  • To comply with legal or regulatory requirements.
  • To support indexing, archiving, and scholarly communication services.
  • To investigate ethical concerns or publication misconduct.

Any third-party service providers involved in journal operations are expected to maintain appropriate confidentiality and data protection standards.\

6. Cookies and Website Usage Data

The JSSC website and OJS platform may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Maintain user sessions.
  • Improve website functionality.
  • Enhance user experience.
  • Support secure access to the journal system.

Users may manage cookie preferences through their web browser settings.

7. Data Security

The journal implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:

  • Unauthorised access.
  • Loss or misuse of information.
  • Unauthorised disclosure.
  • Accidental alteration or destruction.

Access to personal information is restricted to authorised individuals involved in journal management and publishing activities.

8. User Account Management

Registered users may update their personal information through their OJS account.

Users are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of their account information and should notify the journal office of any significant changes.

Users may request assistance regarding their personal information by contacting the journal editorial office.

9. Data Retention Policy

The journal retains personal information only for as long as necessary to support:

  • Editorial processes.
  • Publication records.
  • Research integrity requirements.
  • Legal and regulatory obligations.
  • Long-term preservation of scholarly records.

Published articles and associated metadata may be permanently preserved as part of the academic record.

10. Third-Party Services

The journal may use external services to support:

  • Digital preservation.
  • DOI registration.
  • Indexing and metadata distribution.
  • Plagiarism detection.
  • Manuscript processing.
  • Website security.

These services are used only to support scholarly publishing activities and are expected to follow appropriate privacy and security practices.

11. User Rights

Users have the right to:

  • Request access to their personal information.
  • Request correction of inaccurate information.
  • Request updates to their account details.
  • Request clarification regarding the use of their data.
  • Withdraw optional communication preferences.

Requests should be submitted to the journal editorial office.

12. Protection of Reviewer Confidentiality

Reviewer identities and review reports are protected according to the journal's peer-review policy.

Reviewer information will not be disclosed unless:

  • Required by law.
  • Necessary for investigating ethical concerns.
  • Approved under exceptional circumstances consistent with publication ethics practices.

13. Changes to This Privacy Statement

The Journal of Smart Systems and Computing may update this Privacy Statement periodically to reflect changes in:

  • Publishing practices.
  • Legal requirements.
  • Technology platforms.
  • Data protection standards.

Any significant changes will be communicated through the journal website.

14. Contact Information

Questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Statement may be directed to:

Editorial Office
Journal of Smart Systems and Computing (JSSC)
Email: [Insert Official Journal Email]
Website: [Insert Journal Website]

Commitment to Privacy Protection

The Journal of Smart Systems and Computing (JSSC) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of its users while maintaining transparent, ethical, and responsible scholarly publishing practices.

Through appropriate data protection measures and responsible information management, JSSC strives to maintain a secure and trustworthy environment for authors, reviewers, editors, and readers worldwide.