BRPI Policies

Privacy and Data Protection

Effective Date: November 13, 2025

Last Updated: November 13, 2025

The Brooklyn Research and Publishing Institute (BRPI) is committed to protecting personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, used, stored, and protected when accessing BRPI websites or using its publishing services. Use of BRPI digital platforms constitutes agreement with the practices described herein.

1. Organization Overview

The Brooklyn Research and Publishing Institute (BRPI) is an international open-access academic publisher dedicated to advancing global research dissemination and academic collaboration. This Privacy Policy applies to all digital platforms, including the official website, journal websites, submission systems, and related services operated under the BRPI name.

2. Information Collected

Both personal and non-personal information may be collected to ensure the proper functioning of editorial and publishing processes. Personal information may include names, email addresses, institutional affiliations, ORCID IDs, professional credentials, and communication details. Authors, reviewers, and editors may provide additional information relevant to manuscript submission and peer review. Readers and subscribers may provide email addresses and preferences for newsletters or updates.

Technical information is collected automatically when accessing the website, including IP addresses, browser type, device information, operating system, referring URLs, and pages visited. Cookies and similar tracking technologies are used to enhance the user experience and improve website functionality.

3. Use of Information

Personal data is used to manage manuscript submissions, facilitate peer review, communicate with authors and reviewers, and maintain publication integrity. Information may also support promotion of published works, administration of open-access services, inquiry handling, and website usability improvements. Certain data may be used to fulfill legal obligations, uphold ethical publishing standards, and ensure compliance with contractual requirements.

For users located in the European Economic Area (EEA), personal data is processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Legal bases include consent (e.g., newsletter subscriptions), contract necessity (e.g., author agreements), compliance with legal obligations (e.g., record-keeping and reporting), and legitimate interests (e.g., maintaining publication quality and preventing fraud).

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

Personal data is never sold or rented to third parties. Limited information may be shared with editorial board members, peer reviewers, and co-authors to facilitate the publication process. Metadata may be shared with indexing, archiving, and abstracting services (e.g., CrossRef, DOAJ) to ensure discoverability of research. In cases involving payment processing or legal compliance, limited data may be disclosed to trusted service providers or authorities under strict confidentiality and data protection standards.

6. Data Retention

Personal and publication-related data is retained as long as necessary to manage submissions, maintain publication records, and comply with legal or ethical obligations. Author and publication metadata are preserved permanently as part of the scholarly record, while personal data unrelated to the archive is deleted once administrative purposes are fulfilled.

7. International Data Transfers

BRPI may process and store data on servers located in multiple countries. When personal data is transferred across borders, appropriate safeguards are implemented to ensure compliance with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR standards.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Cookies and similar technologies enhance browsing experience, enable submission system functionality, and provide site performance insights. These technologies help understand user behavior and improve content and navigation. Users may manage or disable cookies through browser settings; some website features may not function fully if cookies are disabled.

9. Data Security

Technical, administrative, and physical safeguards protect personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Measures include encryption, access control, and secure storage practices. While no system is completely immune to risk, continuous monitoring and updates aim to maintain maximum protection.

10. User Rights

Depending on jurisdiction, users may have rights regarding personal data, including access, correction, deletion, data portability, restriction or objection to processing, and withdrawal of consent where applicable. Rights can be exercised by contacting editor@thebrpi.org.

BRPI websites may include links to third-party websites such as indexing services, partner institutions, or academic databases. BRPI is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites. Users are encouraged to review privacy policies of third-party sites before providing personal information.

12. Children’s Privacy

BRPI services target academic and professional audiences. Personal data from individuals under 16 is not knowingly collected. If such data is inadvertently collected, it will be promptly deleted.

13. Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy may be revised periodically to reflect changes in operations, technologies, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with an updated Effective Date. Users are encouraged to review this policy periodically to stay informed of privacy practices.

14. Contact Information

Questions, concerns, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or data handling practices may be directed to the Executive Editor at editor@thebrpi.org.