Privacy Policy

The World Journal of Advanced Surgery (WJAS) is committed to protecting the privacy of its readers, authors, reviewers, and editorial board members. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard personal information collected through our website and submission platform.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information primarily provided by users during the registration and submission process:

• Identification Data: Name, institutional affiliation, email address, ORCID ID.
• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and timestamps (collected automatically via Google Analytics and server logs).
• Professional Data: Expertise keywords, review history, and publication history.

2. How We Use Your Information

The information collected is used exclusively for scholarly publishing operations, including:

• Managing the peer review process (matching reviewers to manuscripts).
• Communicating editorial decisions and process updates.
• Publishing accepted articles (name, affiliation, ORCID).
• Processing payments related to Article Processing Charges (APCs).
• Sending periodic journal updates, calls for papers, or reviewer invitations (opt-in only).

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell or rent personal information to third parties. We may disclose personal data only in the following limited circumstances:

• To Service Providers: For necessary operations like typesetting, archiving (e.g., CLOCKSS), and DOI registration (CrossRef).
• Upon Publication: Author names, affiliations, and ORCID IDs are publicly visible. Reviewer identities are kept confidential unless they opt for open review.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law or to comply with a subpoena or similar legal process.

4. Data Security and Retention

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, and unauthorized access. We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

5. Your Rights (GDPR/CCPA)

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict the processing of, or object to the processing of your personal data. Please contact the Editorial Office to exercise these rights.