Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

PeerScope ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our research collaboration platform.

By using PeerScope, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us:

• Account Information: Name, email address, password, institution, and academic field when you create an account.
• Profile Information: Bio, skills, research interests, profile photo, and links to external profiles (ORCID, Google Scholar, etc.).
• Project Information: Project titles, descriptions, requirements, and any documents or content you upload.
• Communications: Messages you send through our platform, reviews, and feedback.
• Waitlist Information: Email, name, and survey responses when joining our beta waitlist.

We automatically collect certain information:

• Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, and actions taken on the platform.
• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
• Log Data: IP address, access times, and referring URLs.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve our services
• Connect you with potential collaborators based on your interests and skills
• Send you notifications about project activity, messages, and updates
• Process your transactions and manage your subscription
• Respond to your comments, questions, and support requests
• Analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues or abuse
• Send promotional communications (with your consent)

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With Other Users: Your public profile, projects, and reviews are visible to other users of the platform.
• Service Providers: We work with third-party services for hosting, analytics, email delivery, and payment processing.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights and safety.
• Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
• Regular security assessments and monitoring
• Access controls limiting who can view your data
• Secure authentication methods including OAuth

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

6. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information in your profile settings.
• Deletion: Delete your account and associated data at any time.
• Data Portability: Request your data in a portable format.
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in each email.
• Notification Preferences: Control which notifications you receive in your settings.

7. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you signed in to your account
• Remember your preferences
• Understand how you use our platform
• Improve our services based on usage patterns

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling them may affect your ability to use certain features.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. We may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal compliance.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. Children's Privacy

PeerScope is not intended for users under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.