Privacy

Dated: 10 March 2026

TK TechForum Journal (formerly known as ThyssenKrupp Techforum) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of authors, reviewers, editors, readers, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, how we share it, and the choices and rights you may have.

1. Data controller and contact
   The data controller for personal data processed through this journal website and editorial workflow is the journal/publisher operating the site.

For privacy questions, requests, or concerns, contact:
Email: editor@techforumjournal.com

2. What data we collect
   We collect only the data needed to operate a peer-reviewed journal and provide related services.

2.1 Website visitors (not registered)
Even if you do not register, the website and hosting infrastructure may automatically log limited technical data, such as:

• IP address (and approximate location derived from it)

• browser type, device type, and operating system

• pages visited, referring pages, and time/date of access

• basic server logs used for security, troubleshooting, and performance

This data is typically used for site operation, security, and aggregated analytics. We do not attempt to identify individual visitors from these logs unless required for security or legal reasons.

2.2 Registered users (authors, reviewers, editors, readers)
If you register or log in, we may collect:

• name, username, and email address

• affiliation and country (if provided)

• role information (author/reviewer/editor)

• login/session data (for authentication)

• communication records with the editorial office (emails and system messages)

2.3 Authors and submissions
If you submit a manuscript, we may process:

• manuscript files and supplementary files (including figures, tables, appendices)

• author list, affiliations, correspondence details, and identifiers (e.g., ORCID if provided)

• declarations provided during submission (funding, competing interests, ethics statements)

• editorial decision history, reviewer reports, and revision files

• publication metadata for accepted articles (title, abstract, keywords, author names, affiliations, DOI, publication dates)

2.4 Reviewers
If you serve as a reviewer, we may process:

• expertise/interests (if provided)

• review reports and recommendations

• review history and editorial correspondence
  Reviewer identities are handled according to the journal’s peer review model and are not disclosed to authors when reviewer anonymity is required.

2.5 Article metrics and usage statistics
The site may display or record article-level metrics such as views and downloads. These metrics are typically aggregated and used to understand readership and improve services.

3. How we use personal data
   We use personal data for legitimate journal operations, including:

• managing submissions, peer review, editorial decisions, and publication

• communicating with authors, reviewers, and editors

• producing and publishing articles (including assigning identifiers such as DOIs, where applicable)

• maintaining the scholarly record (including corrections, retractions, and editorial notices)

• maintaining site security, preventing abuse, and troubleshooting technical issues

• generating aggregated statistics about submissions and publications (for internal reporting and improvement)

We do not sell personal data and do not use it for unrelated marketing.

4. Legal bases for processing (where applicable)
   Depending on your jurisdiction, we may rely on one or more of the following bases:

• performance of a service relationship (processing submissions and peer review)

• legitimate interests (operating and improving the journal and ensuring integrity of the scholarly record)

• consent (for optional profile fields or optional communications, where used)

• compliance with legal obligations (where required)

5. Sharing and disclosures
   We share personal data only as necessary to operate the journal.

5.1 Editorial workflow

• manuscripts and associated metadata are shared with editors and reviewers involved in evaluation

• author identities and manuscript content are shared as needed for review (single-blind review means reviewers can see author information; reviewer identities are typically not disclosed to authors)

5.2 Service providers and hosting
We may share limited data with service providers that support journal operations, such as hosting providers, email services, production services, and platform maintenance.

5.3 Public Knowledge Project (PKP)
This journal may share anonymized and aggregated usage and operational data with the Public Knowledge Project (PKP) for the purpose of improving the publishing platform and services. Some information such as article metrics may be visible publicly on the journal website.

5.4 Indexing, archiving, and discoverability (as applicable)
For published articles, we may share bibliographic metadata (e.g., title, author names, affiliations, abstract, keywords, DOI) with indexing, discovery, and archiving services to support visibility and preservation.

6. Human-subject or sensitive data in manuscripts
   Authors are responsible for ensuring that any personal data included in submitted or published manuscripts (including human-subject data, images, or identifiable information) is collected and disclosed ethically and legally, with appropriate approvals and consent where required. The journal may request ethics statements or documentation where relevant.

7. Data retention
   We retain personal data only as long as necessary for journal operations and the integrity of the scholarly record.

• submission and peer-review records may be retained to document editorial decisions and maintain accountability

• published articles and their metadata are retained indefinitely as part of the scholarly record

• user account data is retained while the account is active and may be retained for a reasonable period after inactivity or closure, unless deletion is requested and permissible

Requests for deletion may be limited where retention is necessary to preserve the scholarly record, resolve disputes, address misconduct, or comply with legal obligations.

8. Your rights
   Depending on your jurisdiction (including GDPR in the EU/EEA), you may have rights such as:

• access to your personal data

• correction of inaccurate data

• deletion of data in certain circumstances

• restriction or objection to certain processing

• data portability (where applicable)

• notification in the event of certain data breaches (where required by law)

To exercise your rights, contact: [insert email].
We will respond in accordance with applicable law and journal obligations to preserve the scholarly record.

9. Cookies and session management
   The journal website uses cookies or similar technologies to support essential functions such as session management and login security.

• cookies are required for registered functions (logging in, submitting manuscripts, reviewing, editorial tasks)

• cookies are not required to read publicly available content in most cases

• you can delete or block cookies in your browser settings, but doing so may prevent you from logging in or using submission/review features

Cookie data is not used to personally identify visitors for marketing, and is used only for site operation, security, and performance.

10. Security
    We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or disclosure. No online system can guarantee absolute security; users should use caution when sharing sensitive information over the internet.

11. Third-party links
    Journal pages and articles may include links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites and encourage users to review those policies.

12. Changes to this policy
    We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “last updated” date.