Privacy Policy

Introduction

AIR Journals is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use our website and services. By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When You Submit a Manuscript:

• Email address (for correspondence)
• Corresponding author name
• Manuscript file (DOCX)
• Journal selection
• Payment information (processed by Stripe and/or PayPal, not stored by us)
• Optional disclosures (ethics approvals, conflicts of interest, funding)

Information Collected Automatically

When You Visit Our Website:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring website
• Device information

Cookies and Tracking

AIR Journals does not use cookies for tracking, analytics, or advertising.

However, our website uses Google Fonts (fonts.googleapis.com) for typography, which may set cookies as part of Google's content delivery network. These are functional cookies necessary for proper font display and are not used for tracking by AIR Journals.

We do not use:

• Analytics cookies (no Google Analytics or similar)
• Advertising cookies
• Social media tracking pixels
• Third-party marketing cookies

Your web server logs may record standard access information (IP address, pages visited, timestamps) for security and operational purposes only.

2. How We Use Your Information

Primary Uses

We use your information to:

• Provide Our Services: Process manuscript submissions, conduct AI-powered peer review, communicate review results, process payments, publish accepted papers, assign DOIs and register with Crossref, facilitate indexing in scholarly databases
• Communicate With You: Send submission confirmations, deliver review results, respond to inquiries, send service updates, provide revision reminders
• Improve Our Services: Analyze submission patterns, improve AI evaluation algorithms, enhance website functionality, conduct research on peer review processes (using anonymized data)
• Legal and Security: Comply with legal obligations, prevent fraud, protect our rights, enforce Terms of Service

We Do NOT Sell Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

3. How We Share Your Information

Service Providers

We share information with trusted service providers:

• Plagiarism Detection: Industry standard (manuscript text transmitted for screening, subject to confidentiality agreements)
• Payment Processing: Stripe and/or PayPal (we do not receive or store full payment details)
• Cloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, or similar (manuscript files stored securely)
• Email Services: SendGrid, Mailgun, or similar (for automated emails)

DOI Registration and Indexing

Upon publication, we share with scholarly services:

• Crossref: Paper title, author names/affiliations, abstract, publication date, journal information
• Indexing Services: Metadata automatically harvested from published papers (e.g. Google Scholar, OpenAlex, Semantic Scholar)

4. Data Retention

Manuscript Data

• Submitted Manuscripts: Retained for 2 years after final decision (may be retained longer if published)
• Published Papers: Retained permanently (archival requirement)
• Review Reports: Retained for 5 years for quality assurance

Payment Information

• Transaction Records: Retained for 7 years (tax and accounting requirements)
• Full card details never stored by us (handled by Stripe and/or PayPal)

5. Data Security

Security Measures

We implement reasonable security measures:

• Technical Safeguards: SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission, encrypted storage for manuscripts, secure backup systems, regular security updates, firewall protection
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal data (need-to-know basis), strong password requirements, multi-factor authentication for administrative access
• Organizational Safeguards: Security training for staff, confidentiality agreements, incident response procedures, regular security audits

Limitations

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping your email account secure and using strong passwords.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Access and Correction

• Right to Access: Request a copy of personal data we hold about you
• Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• How to Exercise: contact us via our contact form

Deletion and Restriction

• Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal data (exceptions: published papers, data needed for legal compliance)
• Right to Restrict Processing: contact us via our contact form

Data Portability

Request your data in machine-readable format (JSON, CSV). Transfer to another service provider. Applies to data you provided directly to us.

7. International Data Transfers

Artificial Intelligence Review AIR Publishing House LLC (operating as AIR Journals) is a US-registered Limited Liability Company. AIR Journals is a US-registered Limited Liability Company. Data may be processed in the United States or other countries. Service providers may be located internationally. For transfers outside your country, we use standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities.

European Economic Area (EEA) Users

If you are in the EEA: Data may be transferred to countries outside EEA with appropriate safeguards in place. You have rights under GDPR (see Section 6).

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from someone under 18, contact us immediately at our contact form.

9. California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights:

• Right to Know: Categories of personal information collected, sources, business purposes
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information (exceptions apply)
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale: We do NOT sell personal information (no opt-out necessary)
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate for exercising your rights

How to Exercise: contact us via our contact form with subject "California Privacy Rights Request"

10. European Union Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Union, you have rights under GDPR:

• Legal Bases: Contractual necessity, legitimate interest, consent, legal obligation
• Your Rights: Access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, object, withdraw consent
• Data Protection Officer: contact us via our contact form

11. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be effective upon posting to our website. Material changes will be announced on our website with updated "Last Updated" date and notification via email. Continued use of services after changes constitutes acceptance.

12. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data:

Contact: contact us via our contact form
Subject Line: "Privacy Inquiry" or "Data Rights Request"
Response Time: We aim to respond within 10 business days