Privacy Statement
Foreword:
At the Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology (JCMC), we prioritize the privacy and security of our users' data, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers who interact with our website and systems. We are committed to safeguarding your personal information in accordance with the highest global standards of data protection and privacy regulations. This Privacy Statement outlines how we collect, use, and protect your data, ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies such as GDPR, CAN-SPAM Act, and other international privacy standards.
Our commitment is to create a trusted platform for scholarly communication, ensuring transparency, accountability, and data security for all stakeholders. Please take a moment to review our privacy policies and guidelines to understand how your information will be handled.
1. Data Collection and Usage
We collect personal data from users for specific and legitimate purposes, which include but are not limited to:
• Submitting manuscripts
• Participating in peer review processes
• Managing journal editorial activities
• Communicating with readers, reviewers, editors, and authors
• Maintaining records for academic and research purposes
Personal data collected may include names, email addresses, institutional affiliations, contact information, and publication history. We use this data solely for the above-stated purposes and do not sell, trade, or share it with third parties, except as necessary for the legitimate operation of the journal.
2. Data Security and Protection
We implement state-of-the-art encryption and secure data storage measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of personal information. Our security practices comply with GDPR, CAN-SPAM Act, and other applicable data protection laws worldwide. We regularly review and update our security protocols to ensure ongoing compliance with these standards.
3. User Rights and Control Over Data
As a user of our platform, you have the following rights concerning your personal data:
• Right to Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You have the right to correct any inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): You can request the deletion of your personal data under specific conditions, such as when the data is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
• Right to Data Portability: You may request that your data be transferred to another data controller in a machine-readable format.
• Right to Restrict Processing: In certain cases, you can request the limitation of the processing of your personal data.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us through the appropriate channels listed on our website.
4. Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to enhance user experience and analyze site traffic. Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit our website. These files help us understand user behavior and improve our services. You can control cookie settings through your browser, but disabling cookies may impact your experience on our site.
We ensure compliance with the GDPR’s guidelines on the use of cookies and data collection practices.
5. Communication and Opt-out Mechanisms
In line with the CAN-SPAM Act, we provide clear options for users to opt out of receiving any non-essential communications from the journal. All promotional or informational emails will include an unsubscribe link. We only send emails related to the journal's core activities, such as manuscript submission updates, review notifications, and journal announcements.
Users can manage their communication preferences through their personal accounts or by contacting the journal’s support team.
6. Third-Party Service Providers
We may engage third-party service providers for specific operational activities, such as hosting our website or managing manuscript submission systems. These providers are carefully selected based on their compliance with global privacy regulations, including GDPR, and their ability to protect user data in line with our privacy standards.
Third-party providers are only permitted to use your personal data for the purposes they have been contracted for and are bound by confidentiality agreements.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Statement or as required by law. Data related to academic submissions, editorial decisions, and publication history may be retained indefinitely for research and archival purposes, but all other personal data will be deleted after a reasonable retention period in compliance with legal requirements.
8. Compliance with Global Privacy Standards
This Privacy Statement is designed to comply with several international privacy frameworks, including:
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union
• CAN-SPAM Act of the United States
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) of Canada
• Other relevant international regulations governing data privacy
We continuously monitor developments in privacy legislation to ensure that our privacy practices are aligned with the latest requirements.
9. Data Breach Notification
In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users within 72 hours in accordance with GDPR guidelines and other applicable regulations. Our priority will be to mitigate any potential harm caused by the breach and take corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.
10. Updates to this Privacy Statement
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Statement at any time to reflect changes in our practices, legal obligations, or technological advancements. Any updates will be posted on our website and we encourage all users to review the policy regularly to stay informed of any changes.
11. Contact Us
For any inquiries regarding your data or this Privacy Statement, please contact us at:
[Insert Contact Details]
Instructions for Editors, Reviewers, and Authors:
As part of your responsibilities, please ensure that:
• You maintain the confidentiality of any personal data you come across during the submission and review process.
• You do not share sensitive information or manuscripts with unauthorized third parties.
• You follow ethical guidelines concerning data handling and privacy protection when working with authors and reviewers.
Failure to adhere to these privacy and confidentiality standards may result in disciplinary action as per the journal’s ethical guidelines.