Online Paper submission Tracking System

OPTSM Privacy

Account Creation: Most platforms require authors to create an account, which may involve sharing personal information like name, email address, and possibly phone number or payment details. Make sure the platform’s privacy policy clearly explains what data is collected, how it is used, and whether it is shared with third parties.
Data Retention: Some platforms might retain personal data for an extended period. Review how long the platform keeps your data and whether they have any procedures for data deletion or account deactivation.

Copyright and Intellectual Property: Understand the terms under which you are publishing. Does the platform allow you to retain full rights to your articles, or do they ask for exclusive rights? Some platforms may ask for non-exclusive rights or license to distribute your work, which means you still own your content but give the platform permission to publish and share it.
Removal or Deletion of Articles: If you want to delete your article from the platform, ensure you have the option to do so and that it’s clearly outlined in the platform's terms. Some platforms might retain a copy of your article even after you remove it, or they may allow you to retract it only under certain conditions.

Pen Name: If you prefer not to use your real name, check if the platform allows you to publish under a pseudonym or pen name. This adds a layer of privacy while still allowing you to maintain authorship.
Profile Privacy: Some platforms allow you to control who can view your profile or contact you. Make sure the platform provides settings that enable you to limit access to your personal information and interactions.

Data Protection: Look for platforms that implement strong data protection measures, such as end-to-end encryption and secure login protocols (e.g., two-factor authentication). These can help protect your account from unauthorized access.
Third-Party Sharing: Be cautious of platforms that share your data with third-party services like advertisers, marketing partners, or analytics providers. Review the platform’s privacy policy to see how your data may be used or shared.

Article Protection: Ensure the platform provides adequate measures to prevent unauthorized copying or distribution of your work. Some platforms provide digital watermarking or other ways to track unauthorized use of your articles.
Plagiarism Prevention: Check if the platform has tools that help detect and prevent plagiarism. As an author, it’s important that your work is protected against being copied or stolen.

Audience Analytics: Many platforms offer analytics tools that track the performance of your articles (e.g., number of views, comments, shares). However, be cautious of how this data is used, as it can sometimes be shared with third parties. Ensure that the data collected doesn’t include personal details about you or your readers unless explicitly stated.
Tracking Cookies: Some platforms may use cookies to track your activity or personalize content. Check the platform’s cookie policy to understand how your data might be used and whether you have control over cookie settings.

Payment Details: If the platform involves monetization (e.g., through ads, subscriptions, or paid articles), ensure that payment details (such as your PayPal account or bank information) are securely handled. Verify that the platform complies with relevant data protection regulations to safeguard your financial information.
Privacy of Earnings: Some platforms share information about authors’ earnings publicly or with other users. Ensure that any information related to your earnings is kept private unless you choose to share it.

Data Regulations: The platform should comply with international data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for authors based in the EU or California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for authors in California. These regulations require platforms to provide authors with certain rights over their personal data (e.g., the right to access, delete, or modify their data).
User Rights: As an author, you should have the ability to request access to or deletion of any personal information the platform has stored. Ensure the platform has a clear procedure for you to exercise these rights.

Transparency: Always review the platform's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy carefully before publishing. Look for specific sections that deal with:
- How your content and personal data will be used.
- Whether the platform allows third-party access to your content or data.
- The platform's practices regarding data retention and sharing.

Trustworthiness: Before committing to any platform, research its reputation regarding privacy. Has it been involved in data breaches or scandals? Platforms with poor track records in handling user data should be avoided.