Privacy Statement

Privacy Policy

The Gandhara Journal of Natural Sciences (GJNS) is committed to safeguarding the privacy and personal information of all its stakeholders, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. This policy explains how GJNS collects, uses, stores, and protects personal data obtained through its editorial and publishing processes.

Our privacy practices align with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and uphold Afghan cultural norms and Islamic ethical standards.

1. Scope of the Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all data collected through:
✅ Manuscript submission and peer review processes
✅ Interactions with the GJNS website and submission system
✅ Email and other communications with the editorial office
✅ Participation in GJNS events, surveys, or promotions

2. Data Collection

2.1 Information We Collect

GJNS may collect the following personal information:

Full name, email address, institutional affiliation, ORCID iD (for authors, reviewers, and editors)
Manuscript details (title, abstract, keywords, and associated data)
IP addresses, browser type, and usage logs (when accessing the website)
Professional credentials and conflict of interest declarations (for peer reviewers and editors)

3. Use of Collected Information

✅ 3.1 Purpose of Data Use

Collected data is used to:

Facilitate manuscript submission, peer review, and publication
Communicate with authors, reviewers, and editors during the editorial process
Maintain a secure scholarly record and journal archives
Improve the functionality and user experience of the GJNS website
Fulfill legal and academic obligations

3.2 Prohibited Uses

GJNS does not:

Sell, rent, or share personal data for commercial purposes
Disclose manuscript details to anyone outside the editorial process without consent

4. Data Protection and Confidentiality

4.1 Security Measures

GJNS implements appropriate technical and organizational safeguards to protect personal data against:
✅ Unauthorized access
✅ Loss or destruction
✅ Alteration or disclosure

4.2 Confidentiality of Manuscripts

All submitted manuscripts are treated as strictly confidential. Editors and reviewers are prohibited from using manuscript content for personal advantage or sharing it with third parties.

5. Sharing of Personal Information

5.1 Limited Disclosure

Personal data may be shared only:

With GJNS editorial staff, reviewers, or publishers directly involved in the publishing process
When legally required by law or regulatory authorities
To investigate ethical misconduct in alignment with COPE guidelines

6. Data Retention Policy

GJNS retains personal data only for as long as necessary to:
✅ Complete the manuscript processing and publication lifecycle
✅ Meet academic, legal, and archival obligations

Authors, reviewers, and editors may request deletion of their personal data post-publication unless retention is required by academic or legal considerations.

7. Cultural and Ethical Considerations

All data handling practices respect Afghan cultural norms and are consistent with Islamic principles regarding privacy, integrity, and intellectual property.

Value Additions Planned for GJNS Privacy Management

✅ Integration of GDPR compliance measures for international contributors
✅ Clearer cookie policy and consent management tools on the GJNS website
✅ Development of an automated data removal request system
✅ Annual Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) to evaluate data handling practices

Contact for Privacy Concerns

For inquiries, data access, or deletion requests, please contact:
[Insert official GJNS editorial email]
CC: rpashtoon@hotmail.com
Editorial Office – Gandhara Journal of Natural Sciences, Kandahar University

Review and Updates

This Privacy Policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect changes in: