Privacy Policy

Annals of Politics and Communication in Africa (APCA) is committed to protecting the personal data and privacy of authors, reviewers, editorial board members, and readers. This policy outlines how the journal collects, uses, and safeguards authors’ information in accordance with global best practices and international data protection regulations.

1. Data Collection

APCA collects authors’ personal information necessary for the peer review, publication, and distribution of academic research. This includes:

· Contact Details: Name, institutional affiliation, email address, and physical address.

· Professional Information: Academic degree, area of expertise, and ORCID iD.

· Submission Metadata: Manuscript titles, abstracts, and co-authors’ details.

· Financial Data: Necessary information for processing Article Processing Charges (APCs), where applicable.

2. Purpose of Data Processing

Authors’ data are processed solely for the following academic and administrative purposes:

· Peer-Review Management: To facilitate the peer-review process and maintain communication with authors and reviewers.

· Publication and Indexing: To include authors' names and affiliations in published manuscripts and metadata transmitted to indexing services.

· Journal Communications: To provide updates on manuscript status, journal announcements, and calls for papers.

· Research Integrity: To verify identities and prevent academic misconduct or duplicate submissions.

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

APCA does not sell or rent personal data to third parties. Data are shared only with:

· Indexing and Archiving Services: To ensure the global visibility and permanent preservation of published work (e.g., Crossref, Scopus, or Portico).

· Service Providers: Trusted third-party platforms used for manuscript submission and hosting, such as Open Journal Systems (OJS).

· Legal Obligations: If mandated by law or necessary to protect the integrity of the scholarly record and prevent academic fraud.

4. Data Retention and Security

APCA retains personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil editorial obligations and maintain the permanent scholarly record. Published authors’ information remains a permanent part of the article metadata. The journal employs robust technical and organisational measures to protect your data against unauthorised access, alteration, or loss.

5. Author’s Rights

Under global data protection laws, authors have the right to:

· Access: Request a copy of the personal data the journal holds.

· Rectification: Request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

· Erasure: Request the deletion of personal data, subject to the requirements of maintaining the permanent scholarly record (published articles cannot be withdrawn solely to remove authors’ names).

· Opt-out: Withdraw consent for marketing or non-essential journal communications at any time.

6. Cookies and Digital Tracking

The journal’s website may use cookies to enhance user experience, manage login sessions, and collect anonymous analytical data regarding site traffic. Users can manage cookie preferences through their individual browser settings.

7. Contact Information

For any enquiries regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of authors’ personal data, please contact the Editorial Office at: editor@acpajournal.org.ng