Scope of this statement
AAAI is a scholarly journal platform that supports submissions, peer review, publication, readership access, and post-publication communications. Because these functions involve personal data (for example, author contact details, reviewer identities, editorial communications, and website usage logs), AAAI maintains this Privacy Statement to explain what data is collected and why.
This statement applies to personal data processed through AAAI’s website, submission workflow, peer-review activities, editorial communications, and related journal services. It does not cover third-party websites that may be linked from AAAI (for example, external repositories, reference managers, or indexing services). If you follow links to external sites, please review their privacy policies separately.
Key idea
AAAI collects only the data needed to operate a credible scholarly publishing workflow, meet legal/ethical obligations, prevent abuse, and communicate about journal services.
Who controls and processes data
For the purposes of this Privacy Statement, the journal publisher (Heighten Science Publications Inc.) operates the AAAI website and editorial workflow and is responsible for the processing of personal data collected through journal activities. The editorial office acts as the operational point of contact for privacy-related requests.
| Journal | Archives of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAI) |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Heighten Science Publications Inc. |
| Contact (privacy requests) | Email: [email protected] | Phone: +1 (475) 237-7199 |
| Mailing address | 138 Regina Dr, East Windsor, CT 06088, USA |
Personal data AAAI may collect
The categories below reflect typical data used to operate a journal workflow. The exact data collected depends on your role (reader, author, reviewer, editor) and the features you use on the website.
Reader/website user data
- Technical identifiers: IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, and approximate location derived from IP (for security and analytics).
- Usage data: pages visited, time spent, referral sources, and interaction events (to improve usability and detect abuse).
- Cookie or similar identifiers: where enabled, to support essential site functions and preferences.
Author submission and publication data
- Identity and contact: name, affiliation, email, phone (optional), ORCID (optional), country/region.
- Manuscript and research context: the submitted files, cover letter, author contribution statements, funding disclosures, competing interest declarations.
- Compliance documentation: ethics approval references, consent statements, trial registration identifiers (when applicable).
- Post-acceptance information: production communications, invoice details (where applicable), publication agreements and licensing confirmations.
Reviewer/editor data
- Professional identity: name, affiliation, email, expertise keywords, and reviewer history (assignments, completion dates).
- Peer-review content: review reports, recommendations, confidential notes to editors, and editorial decision records.
- Integrity records: conflict of interest declarations and any misconduct-related investigation notes where required for record-keeping.
Special category and sensitive data
AAAI does not seek sensitive personal data for general purposes. However, manuscripts (especially clinical case reports) can contain health-related information about patients. Authors must de-identify patient data and include consent/ethics statements as required. The journal processes manuscript content for publication purposes and expects authors to minimize sensitive content not essential to the scholarly message.
How AAAI uses personal data
AAAI uses personal data to operate the journal and its scholarly services. The core purposes include:
- Submission and editorial processing: to receive manuscripts, assign editors/reviewers, communicate decisions, and manage revisions.
- Peer review administration: to request, record, and manage reviews and editorial outcomes.
- Publication and dissemination: to produce and host articles, display author information, assign DOIs, and share metadata for discoverability.
- Communications: to send service-related messages (e.g., confirmation emails, revision requests), and where applicable, informational updates like calls for papers.
- Integrity and compliance: to prevent fraud, detect plagiarism or abuse, and maintain the reliability of the scholarly record.
- Security and operational analytics: to protect the website, troubleshoot issues, and improve performance and user experience.
Legal bases (high-level)
Where data protection laws apply (including GDPR), AAAI processes personal data based on one or more lawful bases, including: contractual necessity (to provide publishing services), legitimate interests (to maintain security, prevent abuse, and administer peer review), legal obligations (e.g., tax or record-keeping requirements), and consent (in limited cases such as optional marketing preferences or cookies where required).
When AAAI shares personal data
AAAI does not sell personal data. AAAI may share data only as needed to deliver journal services, meet legal obligations, or protect the scholarly record. Typical sharing scenarios include:
- Service providers: hosting, security, email delivery, and platform maintenance vendors who process data under confidentiality and security obligations.
- Indexing and metadata dissemination: sharing publication metadata (e.g., author names, title, abstract, DOI, license) with discovery services to increase article visibility.
- Editorial participants: sharing manuscripts and author details with editors and reviewers assigned to the manuscript.
- Compliance and integrity: sharing limited information with relevant institutions or authorities when credible misconduct, legal issues, or safety concerns arise and disclosure is appropriate.
Reviewer identity and confidentiality
Reviewer identities are handled according to the journal’s peer-review model and policy. Review reports may be shared with authors, but confidential reviewer data is not disclosed unless the review model explicitly allows it or disclosure is required by law or integrity procedures.
Cookies and similar technologies
AAAI may use cookies or similar technologies to support essential site functions, improve user experience, and protect against abuse. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. Some cookies are strictly necessary for the site to function (for example, session management). Others (where used) may support analytics or preferences.
If cookie consent is required by your local law, AAAI will present a cookie notice and allow you to manage preferences. If you block cookies entirely, some website functions may not work as intended.
| Strictly necessary cookies | Enable core functionality such as session handling and security protections. |
|---|---|
| Preference cookies | Remember settings like language or interface preferences (where supported). |
| Analytics cookies | Help understand site usage patterns to improve performance and reduce friction (used only where configured). |
Browser controls
You can manage cookie settings in your browser. For example, you may delete existing cookies or block new cookies. Note that blocking certain cookies can affect login and form submission workflows.
Data retention and record-keeping
AAAI retains personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this statement, including editorial record-keeping, compliance, and scholarly integrity. In scholarly publishing, retention periods can be longer than in ordinary websites because: publication records and peer-review history may be needed for audits, corrections, retractions, and dispute resolution.
For example, editorial correspondence, review reports, and decision histories may be retained to document the basis of publication decisions and to protect the scholarly record. Financial and invoicing records (where applicable) may be retained to meet legal or accounting requirements.
Retention example
If a published article becomes the subject of an integrity inquiry years later, the journal may need access to the original submission files, review history, and correspondence to assess what happened and to correct the record responsibly.
Security safeguards
AAAI uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Security controls may include access restrictions, monitoring for suspicious activity, and secure hosting practices.
No system can guarantee absolute security, especially on the open internet. If you believe your account or communications have been compromised, notify the editorial office promptly. Avoid sending sensitive personal data by email unless it is essential and specifically requested.
Your privacy rights (including GDPR-style rights)
Depending on your location, you may have privacy rights under applicable law. These rights may include:
- Access: request a copy of the personal data AAAI holds about you.
- Correction: request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: request deletion of personal data in certain circumstances (note: scholarly record-keeping may limit deletions).
- Restriction: request that processing be limited in certain cases.
- Objection: object to certain processing based on legitimate interests (where applicable).
- Portability: request transfer of data you provided in a structured, commonly used format (where applicable).
- Withdraw consent: where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time.
Important limits in scholarly publishing
Some deletion or restriction requests may be limited by the need to preserve the scholarly record, maintain publication integrity, and meet legal record-keeping obligations. AAAI will respond transparently and explain any limits that apply.
To submit a privacy request, email [email protected] with “Privacy Request — AAAI” in the subject line and include your role (author/reviewer/editor/reader) and relevant details (e.g., manuscript ID, account email).
Email communications and preferences
AAAI sends service-related emails that are necessary for journal operations, such as submission confirmations, peer-review invitations, revision requests, decision letters, and publication notifications. The journal may also send informational messages such as calls for papers or journal updates. If you prefer not to receive informational communications, you may request suppression/unsubscription where applicable.
AAAI aims to align email practices with recognized anti-spam standards by providing clear sender identification and honoring legitimate opt-out requests. If you receive an email you believe is erroneous or unwanted, contact the editorial office so it can be reviewed and addressed.
Quick tip
If you are a reviewer and want to pause invitations, you can ask the editorial office to update your reviewer availability without deleting your profile (which may be needed for record integrity).
Children’s privacy
AAAI is intended for scholarly and professional audiences. The journal does not knowingly collect personal data from children for general website use. If you believe a child’s personal data has been submitted to the journal or collected through the website, please contact the editorial office so the matter can be reviewed.
Changes to this Privacy Statement
AAAI may update this Privacy Statement to reflect changes in laws, platform features, security practices, or editorial workflows. When changes are significant, AAAI will update the “last updated” date shown in the footer and may provide additional notice on the website.
Frequently asked questions
Does AAAI sell my personal data?
No. AAAI does not sell personal data. Data is used to run the journal workflow and may be shared only as needed for services, indexing metadata, legal obligations, or integrity protection.
Will my email address appear publicly on an article?
Typically, the corresponding author’s contact details may be displayed as part of the scholarly record. If you have concerns, contact the editorial office; certain information may be limited depending on policy and publishing norms.
How does AAAI protect peer-review confidentiality?
Manuscripts and review reports are treated as confidential within the editorial workflow. Reviewer identities are handled according to the journal’s peer-review policy and are not publicly disclosed unless the review model explicitly provides for it or disclosure is legally required.
Can I request deletion of my reviewer profile?
You may request deletion, but scholarly record-keeping requirements may require retaining minimal records of review activity for audit and integrity purposes. The editorial office will explain what can be removed and what must be retained.
Who do I contact for a privacy request?
Email [email protected] with “Privacy Request — AAAI” in the subject line and include your role and relevant identifiers (e.g., manuscript ID or account email).
