StarNexus Publishing

StarNexus Science Press ("we" or "us") takes your privacy very seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information, and how you can exercise your privacy rights. Please read this policy carefully. Using our services signifies your agreement to the terms of this policy.

1. Information We Collect

When you use our website, submission system, peer review system, and related services, we may collect the following types of information:

1.1 Information You Provide

Registration Information: Name, email, institution, position, ORCID, research areas, etc.
Submission & Review Information: Manuscript title, abstract, keywords, main text, figures, review comments, review scores, etc.
Contact Information: Mailing address, phone number, for publication communication and invoice delivery.
Payment Information: When you pay APC or subscription fees, we collect necessary billing information through third-party payment channels, but we do not store your complete bank card number.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

Device & Log Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, access time, page click behavior, language settings.
Cookies and Similar Technologies: Used to maintain login status, remember preferences, analyze website traffic.

1.3 Information from Third Parties

When you log in with your ORCID account, we may obtain your public profile information.
Project-related information provided by partner institutions (such as funding agencies).

2. How We Use Your Information

Providing Services: Processing submissions, peer review, editorial decisions, production, open access publishing.
Communication & Notifications: Sending review invitations, review progress, editorial decisions, publication reminders, conference notifications, etc.
Account Management: Identity verification, password reset, user permission management.
Service Optimization: Analyzing website usage, improving user experience, detecting and preventing fraud.
Legal Compliance: Meeting legal obligations, resolving disputes, enforcing our terms of service.

3. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We only share your personal information in the following necessary circumstances:

Academic Publishing Process: Manuscript information, author information, and reviewer information will be disclosed to relevant editors and reviewers during peer review to ensure review fairness.
Third-Party Service Providers: Such as cloud storage providers, email distribution platforms, payment gateways. These service providers only process data on our behalf and are bound by confidentiality obligations.
Legal Requirements: We may disclose necessary information when required by law, regulatory authorities, or court orders.
Public Information: Published article metadata (title, authors, abstract) will be publicly disseminated through the OJS system and academic databases (such as DOAJ, Crossref), but you can choose not to publish contact information.

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Data Security & Protection

We employ industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information:

Encrypted Transmission: All data transmission uses TLS/SSL encryption (HTTPS).
Access Control: Only authorized personnel access data based on the "least necessary" principle, with regular permission audits.
Data Backup: Regular database backups to prevent data loss.
Security Monitoring: Deploying firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security vulnerability scans.

While we strive to protect your data, internet transmission cannot guarantee 100% security. If a data breach occurs, we will promptly notify affected users and regulatory authorities as required by law.

5. Data Storage & Cross-Border Transfer

Our servers are located in Hong Kong. Since we serve scholars worldwide, your data may be transferred to Mainland China, Europe, the Americas, and other regions to provide peer review and publishing services. In such cases, we will ensure data recipients provide the same level of protection as this policy. Using our services signifies your consent to such cross-border transfers.

6. Your Rights

Under applicable data protection laws (such as GDPR, PIPL), you have the following rights:

Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information under specific conditions (e.g., withdrawing consent).
Restriction: Request suspension of processing your data.
Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to a third party in a structured format.
Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests.

To exercise the above rights, please contact us at privacy@starnexus.press. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Cookie Policy

We use necessary cookies to maintain login status and system functionality. You can disable cookies through browser settings, but this may affect the normal use of some website features. We do not use tracking cookies for cross-site advertising.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for minors under 16 years of age. We do not intentionally collect personal information from children. If such a situation is discovered, please notify us for deletion.

9. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be notified through website announcements or email. We recommend you regularly review this page. Continued use of services signifies acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or complaints about this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Email: privacy@starnexus.press
Phone: +852 6926 2254
Address: Unit A, 8/F, Block B, Tuen Mun Industrial Centre, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong

You also have the right to file a complaint with your local data protection regulatory authority.