Privacy Statement

Synergy Publication ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal data collected through our website (https://spublication.in/) and associated Open Journal Systems (OJS) platforms for our journals, including Synergy: International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies and Journal of Transformative Pedagogies and Learner Engagement.

We act as the Data Fiduciary under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), India, and process digital personal data in compliance with this Act and other applicable laws.

What personal data we collect

When you register as a user (author, reviewer, editor, reader), submit manuscripts, or interact with our site, we may collect:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Institutional affiliation
  • Country/Location
  • ORCID iD (optional)
  • Username and password (encrypted)
  • Submission-related metadata (e.g., article titles, abstracts, contact details of co-authors)

We collect only the data necessary for the purposes described below.

How we use your personal data

Your data is processed for the following lawful purposes connected to scholarly publishing:

  • Managing user accounts and editorial workflows (submission, peer review, editing, publication)
  • Communicating about submissions, reviews, revisions, and publications
  • Sending journal updates, calls for papers, or notifications (you can opt out of non-essential communications)
  • Generating aggregated, anonymized statistics for improving the platform
  • Complying with legal obligations or preserving the scholarly record

We do not use your data for marketing unrelated to our publishing activities without your consent.

Consent

By registering or submitting content, you provide voluntary consent to the collection and processing of your personal data as described in this statement.

You may withdraw consent at any time (subject to legal retention requirements), which may affect your ability to use certain services (e.g., submission tracking).

Data sharing and disclosure

We share data only as necessary:

  • With Public Knowledge Project (PKP), the developer of OJS, in anonymized/aggregated form for platform improvement
  • With journal editors, reviewers, and production staff for editorial purposes
  • With third-party services (e.g., hosting providers, DOI registration) under strict confidentiality and security obligations

We do not sell your personal data.

Data security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, loss, or breach, including encryption of passwords and secure hosting.

Your rights

Under the DPDP Act, 2023, you have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Correct or update inaccurate data
  • Withdraw consent (where applicable)
  • Request erasure (subject to retention for scholarly record purposes)
  • Nominate a representative (in case of death/incapacity)

To exercise these rights, contact us at shahzanasghar@gmail.com.

Data retention

We retain data as long as necessary for the purposes stated above or to maintain the integrity of the scholarly record (e.g., published articles and review history are preserved indefinitely). Inactive accounts may be reviewed after 7 years.

Children

Our services are not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly process data of children without verifiable parental/guardian consent.

Changes to this statement

We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page, and significant changes will be notified via email or site notice where appropriate.

Contact

For questions, complaints, or to exercise your rights:

Email: shahzanasghar@gmail.com
Principal Contact: Mirza Shahzan Asagar
Synergy Publication, India

Last updated: December 28, 2025