The Asian Journal of Life and Social Sciences (AJLaSS) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and personal information of all users including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. This Privacy and Consent Policy outlines how personal data is collected, stored, processed, and protected in accordance with best practices and ethical publishing standards.

1. Data Collection and Use

AJLaSS collects personal data such as names, email addresses, affiliations, ORCID IDs, IP addresses, user activity on the journal platform, and other relevant information during manuscript submission, peer review, and editorial communication processes. This data is used solely for:

• Managing manuscript submissions and peer review workflows
• Communicating editorial decisions and reviewer feedback
• Generating usage metrics and analytics to improve journal services
• Maintaining user accounts and tracking publication records
• Complying with journal and indexing policies

Personal data is stored within the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform hosted by AJLaSS and will not be used for purposes other than those stated in this policy.

2. User Consent

By using the AJLaSS platform and services, all users (authors, reviewers, editors, and readers) explicitly consent to the collection, storage, and processing of their personal data as outlined in this policy. In particular:

• Authors consent to the storage of their personal information during manuscript submission, review, and publication.
• The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring all co-authors are informed of and agree to this Privacy Policy.
• Reviewers and editors agree to the use of their professional information for the purpose of peer review and editorial management.

3. Confidentiality and Security

AJLaSS prioritizes the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and associated personal data. All reasonable security measures are taken to protect data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. Access to personal data is restricted to journal staff involved in manuscript processing and journal administration.

The journal does not sell, rent, or share personal data with third parties for marketing or unrelated purposes. Data may only be shared with service providers (e.g., hosting providers, indexing services) solely to support journal operations under strict confidentiality obligations.

 

4. Browser and Usage Data

AJLaSS and its platform may collect technical data such as IP addresses, browser types, device information, access dates, and browsing behavior. This data is used anonymously to generate statistical reports and improve user experience. It is never used for tracking or advertising purposes.

5. Retention of Personal Data

Personal information collected by AJLaSS is retained for a period of up to seven (7) years after submission, review, or publication, unless otherwise required by legal or regulatory obligations. Upon request, users may access, update, or request deletion of their data unless it is legally required to be retained.

6. Consent for Human Subject Data

Authors submitting manuscripts involving human subjects are fully responsible for ensuring that informed consent was obtained from participants and that privacy rights were respected. Data related to human subjects must be anonymized unless written permission is granted for disclosure. Any ethical approvals must be clearly stated in the manuscript, and be submitted at the time of manuscript submission.