Privacy Policies

July 21st 2024

These Privacy Policies (“Policies”) provide explanation regarding the information collection, use, and sharing practices of Rviews Press (“Rviews Press, Marseille, France” and “Rviews journals” and,”PRviews PREPRINTS platform” “we,” “us,” and “our”).

These Policies are incorporated into the terms and conditions of use of Rviews Press services located at https://www.rviews.org/index.php/index/terms-conditions.

Unless otherwise noted on a particular website or service hosted by Rviews Press, these policies describes and governs the information collection, use, and sharing practices of Rviews Press and services with respect to the use of our websites that link to these Privacy Policies, including: https://www.rviews.org, https://pp.rviews.org, https://ark.rviews.org and other properties of Rviews Press, Marseille, France (collectively, the “Websites”), and the services we provide through our Websites and/or host on our servers, including open access journal, preprint servers, editorial services, advertisement and promotion without limitation the license chooser, search engine, Login Services (defined below), and the Rviews Network community website (collectively, the Websites, and the services available through them are referred to as the “Services”).

Before users can use or submit any information through or in connection with the Services, they are invited to carefully review these Privacy Policies. By using any part of the Services, users understand that their information will be collected, used, and disclosed as outlined in these Privacy Policies. IF USERS DO NOT AGREE TO THESE PRIVACY POLICIES, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SERVICES.

 

1.      Principles

Rviews Press and all services agree that privacy policies should be consistent and follow these principles:

  •    Privacy policies should be human readable and easy to find.
  •    Data collection, storage, and processing should be simplified as much as possible to enhance security, ensure consistency, and make the practices easy for users to understand.
  •   Data practices should meet the reasonable expectations of users.

 

2.     Information we collect

We collect information in multiple ways, including when users provide information directly to us; when we passively collect information such as through cookies (see our cookie policies at https://rviews.org/index.php/index/cookies-policies); and from our third-party partners.

 

Users provided information

We will collect any information users provide to us for many reasons including identification, recognition, referencing, communication etc... We may collect information from users in a variety of ways, such as when they: (a) create an online account, (b) register to a service, (c) become long-term reader, (d) accept to be an editor or reviewer, (e) become an author or make submission to a journal, (f) register for an event, (g) contact us or provide feedback, (h) sign a petition distributed by Rviews Press, (i) upload their creative work or images, (j) subscribe to our newsletter, or (h) apply for a job at Rviews Press. This information may include but is not limited to their name, email address, phone number, mailing address, payment information, photo, geographic location, and their social media handles.  We may also collect additional demographic and other information about users in connection with our conferences and events (e.g., dietary and other preferences), and the provision of this information to us by users is optional.

 

Automatically collected Information

Device/Usage Information

We may automatically collect certain information about the computer or devices (including mobile devices or tablets) used to access the Services. As described further below, we may collect and analyze (a) device information such as IP addresses, location information (by country and city), unique device identifiers, IMEI and TCP/IP address, browser types, browser language, operating system, mobile device carrier information, and (b) information related to the ways in which users interact with the Services, such as referring and exit web pages and URLs, platform type, the number of clicks, domain names, landing pages, pages and content viewed and the order of those pages, statistical information about the use of the Services, the amount of time spent on particular pages, the date and time users used the Services, the frequency of their use of the Services, error logs, and other similar information. As described further below, we may use third-party analytics providers and technologies, including cookies and similar tools, to assist in collecting this information.

 

Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies

We also collect data about the use of our Services through the use of Internet server logs and online tracking technologies, like cookies and/or tracking pixels. A web server log is a file where website activity is stored. A cookie is a small text file that is placed on their computer when users visit a website, that enables us to: (a) recognize their computer; (b) store their preferences and settings; (c) understand the web pages of the Services users have visited and the referral sites that have led users to our Services; (d) enhance their user experience by delivering content  specific to their inferred interests; (e) perform searches and analytics; and (f) assist with security administrative functions. Tracking pixels (sometimes referred to as web beacons or clear GIFs) are tiny electronic tags with a unique identifier embedded in websites, online ads and/or email, and that are designed to provide usage information like ad impressions or clicks, measure popularity of the Services and associated advertising, and to access user cookies. We may also use tracking technologies in our license buttons and/or icons that users can embed on other sites/services to track the website addresses where they are embedded, gauge user interaction with them, and determine the number of unique viewers of them. If users receive email from us (such as the Rviews Press or its journal newsletters, campaign updates, or other ongoing email communications from Rviews Press), we may use certain analytics tools, such as clear GIFs, to capture data such as whether users open our message, click on any links or banners our email contains, or otherwise interact with what we send. This data allows us to gauge the effectiveness of our communications and marketing campaigns.  As we adopt additional technologies, we may also gather additional information through other methods.

Please note that users can change their settings to be notified when a cookie is being set or updated, or to block cookies altogether. Consulting the “Help” section of the browser might provide more information on how to control locally the management of cookies (e.g., Internet Explorer; Google Chrome; Mozilla Firefox; or Apple Safari). Please note that by blocking any or all cookies, users may not have access to certain features or offerings of the Services although most of the site should be accessible.

For more information about how we use cookies, please see our cookies policies.

 

Information collected by third parties

We may also collect information about users or others through third parties. For example, if users register though third-party partners, we may collect information from the references or vouchers that user identified in their registration application. Another example is the collection of user institutions through third parties such ORCID that they may provide during submission or reviewing of manuscripts. To the extent permitted by law, we may also collect information from third parties, including public sources, social media platforms, and marketing and market research firms. Depending on the source, this information collected from third parties could include name, contact information, demographic information, information about an individual’s employer, information to verify identity or trustworthiness, and information for other fraud or safety protection purposes.

 

3.     How we use collected information

We may use the information we collect from and about users to:

  • Fulfill the purposes for which users provided it;
  • Evaluate their application for editorial or reviewer board membership;
  • Provide and improve the Services, including to develop new features or services, promote the Rviews Press mission and vision, take steps to improve security of the Services, and for technical and customer support;
  • Host events and programs
  • Send users information about their relationship or transactions with us, account alerts, or other communications, such as newsletters to which users have subscribed;
  • Process and respond to their inquiries or to request their feedback;
  • Conduct analytics, research, advertisement, marketing and reporting, including to synthesize and derive insights from their use of our Services;
  • Evaluate job candidates during our hiring process;
  • Comply with the law and protect the safety, rights, property, or security of Rviews Press, the Services, our users, and the general public; and
  • Enforce our Terms and conditions of use, including to investigate potential violations thereof.

Please note that we may combine information that we collect from users and about users (including automatically collected information) with information we obtain about users from our affiliates and/or non-affiliated third parties, and use such combined information in accordance with these Privacy Policies.

We may aggregate and/or de-identify information collected through the Services. We may use de-identified and/or aggregated data for any purpose, including without limitation for research and marketing purposes.

 

4.     When we disclose their information

We may disclose and/or share users information under the following circumstances:

  • Service Providers. We may disclose their information with third parties who perform services on our behalf, including without limitation, identifier providers such as Crossref and other Digital Object Identifier (DOI) providers, indexing and abstracting services, our social media account on third party platforms, funders, credit and certificate collectors, voucher management services, event management, candidate selection, marketing, customer support, data storage, data analysis and processing, and legal services.
  •  Legal Compliance and Protection of Rviews Press and Others. We may disclose users information if required to do so by law or on a good faith belief that such disclosure is permitted by these Privacy Policies or reasonably necessary or appropriate for any of the following reasons: (a) to comply with legal process; (b) to enforce or apply our Terms and conditions, and these Privacy Policies, or other contracts with you, including investigation of potential violations thereof; (c) enforce our Charter including the Code of Conduct and policies contained and incorporated therein, (d) to respond to their requests for customer service; and/or (e) to protect the rights, property, or personal safety of Rviews Press, our agents and affiliates, our users, and the public. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection, plagiarism, misconducts and spam/malware prevention, and similar purposes.
  • Business Transfers. As we continue to develop our business, we may engage in certain business transactions, such as the transfer or sale of our assets. In such transactions, (including in contemplation of such transactions, e.g., due diligence) their information may be disclosed. If any of Rviews Press’ assets are sold or transferred to a third party, customer information (including their email address) would likely be one of the transferred business assets.
  • Affiliated Companies. We may disclose their information with current or future affiliated companies.
  • Consent. We may disclose their information to any third parties based on their consent to do so.
  • Aggregate/De-identified Information. We may disclose de-identified and/or aggregated data for any purpose to third parties, including advertisers, promotional partners, and/or others.
  • Being member of our editorial and reviewer board.

In connection with users’ membership application to our editorial or reviewer board, we may provide their information to all individual involved in the selection and the validation process of the application. This may include people not employed by Rviews Press and who are located in various countries around the world.

The information of peoples involved in the editorial process, the manuscript evaluation and improving, may see that their information will be likely to be published as Rviews Press is promoting the recognition of reviewers’ efforts and contribution in research evaluation aa well as improvement of their communication.

Once users are members of our board, we may provide them with a public profile page, editable by themselves, and pre-populated with certain information users provided in their application such as their name, areas of interest, images or other content users upload, which will be publicly displayed to anyone who visits the site while logged in with their account. Other information contained in their profile such as their biographical information, email address, languages spoken, country of residence, social media account information, or URL details will be displayed only to Rviews Press board members.

 

5.     Legal basis for processing personal data

The laws in some jurisdictions require companies to tell users about the legal ground they rely on to use or disclose information that can be directly linked to or used to identify peoples. To the extent those laws apply, our legal grounds for processing such information are as follows:

  • To honor our contractual commitments to the users of our services. Much of our processing of information is to meet our contractual obligations to provide services to our users.
  • Legitimate interests. In many cases, we handle information on the ground that it furthers our legitimate interests in ways that are not overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the affected individuals, these include:
    • Customer service
    • Marketing, advertising, and fundraising
    • Protecting our users, personnel, and property
    • Managing user accounts
    • Organizing and running events and programs
    • Analyzing and improving our business
    • Managing legal issues

We may also process information for the same legitimate interests of our users and business partners.

  • Legal Compliance. We may need to use and disclose information in certain ways to comply with our legal obligations.
  • Consent. Where required by law, and in some other cases where legally permissible, we handle information on the basis of consent. Where we handle their information on the basis of consent, users have the right to withdraw their consent; in accordance with applicable law.

 

6.     Analytics

We may use third-party web analytics services (such as Google Analytics, altmetric, Public Knowledge Project and others) on our Services to collect and analyze the information discussed above, and to engage in auditing, research, or reporting. The information (including their IP address) collected by various analytics technologies described in the cookies policies will be disclosed to or collected directly by these service providers, who use the information to evaluate their use of the Services, including by noting the third-party website from which users arrive to our Site, analyzing usage trends, assisting with fraud prevention, and providing certain features to you. To prevent Google Analytics from using their information for analytics, users may install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on by clicking here.

 

7.     Their choices and data subject rights

Users have various rights with respect to the collection and use of their information through the Services.  Those choices are as follows:

  • Email Unsubscribe – Users may unsubscribe from our marketing emails at any time by clicking on the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of each newsletter or by emailing support@rviews.org with their request.
  • Account Preferences – If users have registered for an account with us through our Services, users can update their account information or adjust their email communications preferences by logging into their account and updating their settings.
  • EU Data Subject Rights – Individuals in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) and other jurisdictions have certain legal rights (subject to applicable exceptions and limitations) to obtain confirmation of whether we hold certain information about them, to access such information, and to obtain its correction or deletion in appropriate circumstances. Users may have the right to object to our handling of their information, restrict our processing of their information, and to withdraw any consent users have provided. To exercise these rights, please email us at support@rviews.org with the nature of their request. Users also have the right to go directly to the relevant supervisory or legal authority, but we encourage users to contact us so that we may resolve their concerns directly as best and as promptly as we can.

 

8.     International transfers

Our computer systems are currently based in France and our partner may be based in different countries and continents around the world. As described above, we may share their information with trusted service providers or business partners in countries other than their country of residence, including the United States, China, Canada etc, in accordance with applicable law. This means that some of their information may be processed in the United States, which may not offer the same level of protection as the privacy laws of their jurisdiction. By providing us with their information, users acknowledge any such transfer, storage or use.

If we provide any information about users to any third parties information processors located outside of the EEA, we will take appropriate measures to ensure such companies protect their information adequately in accordance with these Privacy Policies and other data protection laws to govern the transfers of such data.

9.     Security measures

We have implemented technical, technological and material security measures to protect against the loss, misuse, and/or alteration of their information. These safeguards vary based on the sensitivity of the information that we collect and store. However, we cannot and do not guarantee that these measures will prevent every unauthorized attempt to access, use, or disclose their information since despite our efforts, no Internet and/or other electronic transmissions can be completely secure. By using our services, the user agrees with these stated measures.

 

10.  Children data

The Services are intended for users over the age of 18 and are not directed at children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information (as defined by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) from children under the age of 13, or personal data (as defined by the EU GDPR) from children under the age of 16, we will take reasonable steps to delete it as soon as practicable.

 

11.  Data retention

We retain the information we collect for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes set forth in these Privacy Policies or as long as we are legally required or permitted to do so. Information may persist in copies made for backup and business continuity purposes for additional time.

 

12.  Third-party links and services

The Services may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., indexing agencies such as PMC and Pubmed, DOAJ, social media sites like Facebook and X and others), third-party plug-ins (e.g., addthis buttons, the Facebook “like” button and X “follow” button), and other services. If users choose to use these sites or features, users may disclose their information not just to those third-parties, but also to their users and the public more generally depending on how their services function. Rviews Press is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such third party websites or services. The collection, use and disclosure of their information will be subject to the privacy policies of the third party websites or services, and not these Privacy Policies. We encourage users to read the privacy statements of each and every site users visit.

13.  Changes to these privacy policies

We will continue to evaluate these Privacy Policies as we update and expand our Services, and we may make changes to the Privacy Policies accordingly. We will post any changes here and revise the date last updated above. We encourage users to check this page periodically for updates to stay informed on how we collect, use and share their information. If we make material changes to these Privacy Policies, we will provide users with notice as required by law.

 

14.  Questions about these privacy policies

If users have any further questions about these Privacy Policies, users can contact us at: support@rviews.org

 

The writing style, sectioning and matter of these policies was adapted from the privacy policies of the creativecommons.org.

Other readers and users are free to use and adapt these Privacy Policies for their own purposes. However, please keep in mind that these Privacy Policies may not be completely suitable for their situation. Rviews Press strongly encourages users to seek the advice of their own attorney before repurposing these Privacy Policies on their own site.