Privacy Policy
Policy Overview
The International Journal of Environmental and Agriculture Research (IJOEAR) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, submit manuscripts, or interact with our services. We comply with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and equivalent local laws.
Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of information:
Personal Information
- Full name and title
- Email address
- Institutional affiliation and address
- Phone number
- ORCID iD
- Areas of expertise
Manuscript Information
- Manuscript content and metadata
- Reviewer comments (anonymized)
- Correspondence with editorial office
- Submission and revision history
Usage Data
- IP address and browser type
- Pages visited and time spent
- Referring website
- Device information
Cookies & Tracking
- Session cookies for website functionality
- Analytics cookies (Google Analytics)
- Preference cookies
Note: We do not collect sensitive personal data (e.g., health information, political opinions, religious beliefs) unless explicitly provided by you in manuscript content.
How We Use Your Information
We use collected information for the following purposes:
To receive, review, and publish submitted manuscripts; communicate with authors and reviewers.
To send acceptance notifications, revision requests, and decision letters.
To analyze usage patterns and improve website functionality and user experience.
To comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies.
Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Compliance)
For users in the European Economic Area (EEA), we process personal data based on the following legal grounds:
| Legal Basis | Applicable Processing Activities |
|---|---|
| Contractual Necessity | Manuscript submission, peer review, and publication services |
| Legitimate Interests | Website analytics, security, fraud prevention, journal promotion |
| Legal Obligation | Record-keeping for regulatory compliance, legal requests |
| Consent | Marketing communications, optional cookies (where applicable) |
Data Sharing & Disclosure
We may share your information with:
Editorial & Review Teams
Editors and reviewers involved in manuscript evaluation (reviewer identities remain anonymous under double-blind review).
Indexing Databases
Metadata (title, authors, abstract) shared with WorldCat, Neliti, Qualis, Google Scholar, and Crossref.
Service Providers
Third-party services for plagiarism detection, website hosting, analytics, and email delivery.
Legal Authorities
When required by law, court order, or to protect our rights and safety.
Important Note
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. Your information is used solely for journal operations and legal compliance.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:
Encryption
SSL/TLS encryption for data transmission; encrypted storage for sensitive data
Access Controls
Role-based access; only authorized personnel access personal data
Regular Backups
Secure, encrypted backups with disaster recovery procedures
While we strive to protect your data, no transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but continuously improve our security practices.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for the following periods:
| Data Type | Retention Period | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Manuscript records | .\]Indefinitely (as part of published scholarly record) | Preserve academic integrity and scholarly record |
| Author/Reviewer correspondence | 7 years after last activity | Legal compliance, dispute resolution | Website usage data | 26 months (Google Analytics) | Website improvement and analytics |
| Marketing communications | Until consent withdrawn | User preference management |
Your Rights (GDPR & Other Laws)
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal obligations).
Request limitation of how we use your data.
Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@ijoear.com with the subject line "PRIVACY REQUEST". We will respond within 30 days. We may require verification of your identity before processing your request.
Children's Privacy
Our website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will promptly delete such information.
International Data Transfers
IJOEAR is based in India. Your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries other than your own. For users in the EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers, including:
- Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission
- Transfer impact assessments where required
- Adequacy decisions for certain countries
By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to India and other countries where our service providers operate.
Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date".
| Version | Effective Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | April 15, 2025 | Current version - Updated GDPR compliance and user rights |
| 2.0 | March 10, 2023 | Added cookie policy and enhanced data security section |
| 1.0 | January 5, 2020 | Initial privacy policy |
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact for Privacy Matters
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data rights, or report a privacy concern, please contact our Data Protection Officer.
+91-7665235235
Please include "PRIVACY REQUEST" in the email subject line. For data subject access requests, we may require identity verification before processing.