AFNS respects and protects the privacy of all users—authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. Personal data collected by the journal is handled with care, used solely for legitimate scholarly purposes, and never shared with third parties without consent. This statement outlines our practices in alignment with international data protection standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Information We Collect

• Author Information: Names, affiliations, contact details, ORCID IDs, and submission records.
• Reviewer Information: Names, expertise, contact details, and review history.
• Reader Data: Non-identifiable analytics such as page views, downloads, and search activity.
• Editorial Staff: Contact and account information necessary for role fulfillment.

How We Use Information

Personal information is used strictly for purposes related to the editorial and publishing process, including:

• Managing submissions and peer review workflows.
• Communicating with authors, reviewers, and editors.
• Maintaining publication records, metadata, and indexing services.
• Providing updates on journal policies or calls for papers (opt-in only).

Data Protection

AFNS employs secure servers and encrypted systems to safeguard data. Access is restricted to authorized editorial staff. We do not sell, rent, or distribute personal information. Data retention is limited to what is necessary for fulfilling scholarly and legal obligations.

Cookies & Analytics

Our website uses cookies to improve user experience, track performance, and ensure site functionality. These cookies do not collect personally identifiable information. Users may disable cookies in their browser settings without affecting access to published content.

Third-Party Services

To support indexing, citation tracking, and digital preservation, AFNS may share minimal metadata (such as titles, author names, and DOIs) with trusted services like CrossRef, DOAJ, and Portico. No sensitive personal data is shared.

User Rights

In accordance with GDPR and related regulations, users have the right to:

• Access and review their personal data held by the journal.
• Request corrections or updates to inaccurate information.
• Withdraw consent for optional communications.
• Request deletion of personal data, subject to legal and archival requirements.

Children’s Privacy

AFNS does not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 16 years of age. If such data is discovered, it will be deleted promptly.

Policy Updates

This Privacy Statement may be updated periodically to reflect regulatory changes or improvements in practice. Users will be notified of significant updates through the journal’s website.

Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Statement or to exercise your data rights, please contact: editorial@foodscijournal.com.