Privacy Statement

Frontiers in Multidisciplinary Studies (FMS) is committed to protecting the privacy of our authors, reviewers, and readers. We respect the confidentiality of the personal information shared with us and are dedicated to ensuring that all data is handled responsibly, securely, and in compliance with applicable privacy laws. This Privacy Statement outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you interact with the journal.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information from authors, reviewers, and readers during the submission and review process, as well as when individuals sign up for email alerts, newsletters, or other communications related to FMS. The types of personal information we may collect include:

  • Authors: Name, email address, institutional affiliation, ORCID ID (if applicable), manuscript details, and payment information (if applicable).

  • Reviewers: Name, email address, institutional affiliation, and expertise/interest in reviewing specific topics.

  • Readers: Email address (if subscribing to alerts), preferences for article topics, and website usage data (via cookies).

2. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used for the following purposes:

  • Author Information: To process manuscript submissions, communicate about manuscript status, and handle payments for any associated publication charges. We also use this information to maintain a record of published works and fulfill open-access publishing requirements.

  • Reviewer Information: To facilitate the peer review process, match reviewers to relevant manuscripts, and communicate feedback to authors. Reviewers’ identities will remain confidential throughout the review process unless otherwise agreed.

  • Reader Information: To send periodic updates on journal content, new issues, and relevant news. You can opt-out of these communications at any time.

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third parties without your consent. However, we may share personal information in the following limited circumstances:

  • With Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist with the journal’s operations (e.g., hosting services, email communication systems). These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements and are only permitted to use the information to carry out services on our behalf.

  • With Reviewers and Editors: For the purpose of peer review, authors’ names, affiliations, and submitted manuscripts may be shared with reviewers and editors. Reviewers’ identities will remain confidential to the authors, and authors’ identities will be kept confidential to the reviewers during the review process.

  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose your personal information when required to do so by law, court order, or other governmental or legal request.

4. Data Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. Our systems are hosted on secure servers, and we utilize encryption and other security measures to safeguard sensitive data. However, please note that no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure, and while we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information transmitted to or from our systems.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us track how you use the site and remember certain preferences. You can disable cookies through your web browser settings, but doing so may affect your ability to use some features of the website.

6. Your Rights and Choices

As a user of FMS, you have the following rights:

  • Access: You can request access to the personal information we hold about you.

  • Correction: You can request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

  • Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal information, subject to any legal or contractual obligations we may have to retain certain data.

  • Opt-out of Communications: You can opt-out of receiving email communications by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email we send or by contacting us directly.

To exercise these rights or for any questions related to your personal data, please contact us at [contact email].

7. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms, publishers, or other academic journals. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information to them.

8. Children’s Privacy

FMS does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to remove such information and terminate the child's access to the website.

9. Changes to This Privacy Statement

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Statement at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and the updated version will be effective immediately upon posting. We encourage you to review this statement periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your personal information.