1.Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how REF Press (“we” and “us”) uses and protects the information that you (“user”) give us when you use this website, refpress.org. Protecting your privacy is one of our main priorities. This document describes the types of information we collect and record, and how we use it.

If you have questions about this policy or your personal information, email us at info@refpress.org. To help us handle your request quickly, please include your full name, your contact information and, if possible, your account details.

2.Information we collect

When you create an account on the REF Press website, we may collect the following information:

• Your first name, last name, academic or job title, organisation or institution, and previous publications
• Your contact information: email address, postal address and country of residence
• Details about your scientific field of interest, education and work experience
• Your password

3.How we use your information

We use the personal information you provide for purposes such as:

• Completing and supporting the activity for which you gave the information, for example giving you access to our products or services, processing or fulfilling an order, or responding to your requests and enquiries.
• Administering the website and its systems, including technical support, securing and maintaining the site, and verifying site activity.
• Tailoring the content or design of the site during a single visit, and personalising the site on repeat visits.
• Research and development that helps us evaluate and improve the site and our products and services.
• Pseudonymous analysis that builds profiles of user habits, interests and other characteristics, for research, analysis and anonymous reporting.
• Telling you about products, services and special offers we believe may interest you. Every marketing email we send includes an “unsubscribe” option.

On occasion we may also match or combine the information you provide with information we obtain from other sources, or that is already in our records, whether collected online or offline or by predecessor or affiliated group companies, for these same purposes.

4.Email policy

REF Press emails its members throughout the publishing process, and about other topics they choose to receive, alongside customary business messages such as payment confirmations. We may also send newsletters and other communications to members. Every newsletter contains clear instructions for removing yourself from the mailing list, and we remove any member from any mailing list immediately upon request.

We also use email to receive feedback from our members, and we welcome your questions and comments.

5.Log files

REF Press follows a standard procedure of using log files. Like most hosting services, our host records visitors when they visit websites, as part of its analytics. The information in log files includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamps, referring and exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks.

This information is not linked to anything that personally identifies you. We use it to analyse trends, administer the site, track movement around the website and gather demographic information.

6.Cookies and web beacons

Like most websites, REF Press uses “cookies”. These store information such as visitor preferences and the pages a visitor has accessed. We use this information to improve your experience by adjusting our page content to your browser type and other details.

You can disable cookies through your browser’s settings. Each browser’s website explains how to manage cookies in more detail.

7.Advertising and third parties

Ad servers

REF Press does not partner with, or have special relationships with, any ad server companies. However, our web host uses an ad server to keep track of data such as the number of impressions.

Google DoubleClick DART cookie

Google is a third-party vendor on our site. It uses cookies, known as DART cookies, to serve ads to visitors based on their visit to refpress.org and other sites on the internet. You may decline the use of DART cookies by visiting Google’s ad and content network privacy policy at policies.google.com/technologies/ads.

Our advertising partners

Some advertisers on our site may use cookies and web beacons. Each advertising partner has its own privacy policy covering how it handles user data. Our current partner is Google: Google advertising privacy policy.

Third-party ad servers and ad networks use technologies such as cookies, JavaScript and web beacons in their advertisements and links on REF Press. These are sent directly to your browser, and the network automatically receives your IP address when this happens. They are used to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and to personalise the ads you see on websites you visit.

Third-party privacy policies

This Privacy Policy does not apply to other advertisers or websites. We advise you to read the privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for detailed information, including their practices and how to opt out of certain options.

8.Our commitment to data security

We work to keep your personal information confidential and protected against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or alteration by using industry-standard encryption technologies. Your personal information is stored on servers behind a firewall, in a physically secured data centre.

9.Your rights

You stay in control of your information. You can:

1. Update your contact information and preferences at any time on the “My Settings” page.
2. Choose what information you make available to other registered and unregistered users.
3. Unsubscribe from newsletters and promotional emails using the link in each message.
4. Deactivate your account at any time, if you no longer want our services, by emailing us at info@refpress.org.

10.Children’s information

Protecting children while they use the internet is another of our priorities. We encourage parents and guardians to observe, take part in and monitor their children’s online activity, and to guide it.

REF Press does not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under the age of 13. If you believe your child has provided this kind of information on our website, please contact us immediately and we will make every effort to remove it from our records promptly.

11.Scope of this policy

This Privacy Policy applies only to our online activities. It is valid for visitors to our website with regard to the information they share with, or that is collected by, REF Press. It does not apply to information collected offline or through channels other than this website.

12.Consent and updates

By using our website, you consent to this Privacy Policy and agree to our Terms and Conditions.

We may update this policy from time to time. The current version is always the one published on this page.