Journal of Geographic Education and Studies (JGES) is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of its users, authors, reviewers, editors, and other individuals who interact with the journal. This Privacy Statement explains how personal information may be collected, used, stored, and protected when you visit or use the journal's website and online publishing systems.

The journal seeks to handle personal information responsibly and only for legitimate academic, editorial, administrative, communication, and operational purposes. Personal information will not be knowingly disclosed to unauthorized third parties.

For questions regarding this Privacy Statement or the handling of personal information, users may contact the editorial office through the journal's official communication channels.

Information We Collect

When users access the journal website, create an account, submit a manuscript, participate in peer review, or communicate with the editorial office, certain information may be collected either voluntarily or automatically. This may include:

• Name, institutional affiliation, and email address.
• Author, reviewer, editor, and user account information.
• Manuscript submission, correspondence, and publication-related information.
• Information provided when registering for journal services or submitting inquiries.
• Technical information such as IP address, browser type, device information, access time, and website activity.

This information may be used to facilitate manuscript submission and peer review, communicate with authors and reviewers, manage editorial activities, maintain publication records, improve website functionality, and support the security and operation of the journal's online systems.

Use of Log Files

The journal website may use standard server log files and similar technical records to monitor website activity, maintain system security, and improve website performance. Such information may include:

• IP addresses.
• Browser, operating system, and device information.
• Date and time of website access.
• Referring and exit pages.
• Page views, navigation activity, and general usage information.

Technical and usage information is generally used for administrative, analytical, security, and performance-related purposes. Where reasonably possible, such information is handled in a manner that minimizes unnecessary identification of individual users.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

The journal website and its online publishing system may use cookies and similar technologies to support essential website functions, maintain user sessions, remember preferences, improve navigation, and enhance the overall user experience.

Users may manage or disable cookies through their web browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect the availability or functionality of some features of the journal website.

Use of Personal Information

Personal information may be used for legitimate journal-related purposes, including:

• Processing and managing manuscript submissions.
• Conducting peer-review and editorial processes.
• Communicating with authors, reviewers, editors, and other users.
• Maintaining accurate publication and user records.
• Providing information about editorial or publication matters.
• Maintaining the security, functionality, and performance of the journal website.
• Complying with applicable legal, ethical, and publishing requirements.

The journal does not sell personal information to third parties. Personal information will only be disclosed where necessary for legitimate journal operations, where required by law, or where disclosure is otherwise appropriately authorized.

Third-Party Services

The journal website may contain links to or integrations with third-party services used for hosting, website functionality, analytics, scholarly communication, indexing, preservation, or other technical purposes.

Third-party services may collect or process information in accordance with their own privacy policies and terms of use. The journal is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites or services. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of third-party platforms before providing personal information.

Data Security and Retention

The journal takes reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, misuse, alteration, disclosure, or loss. Access to personal information is limited to individuals who require such information for legitimate editorial, publishing, administrative, or technical purposes.

Certain information relating to manuscripts, peer review, authorship, and publication may be retained as part of the journal's scholarly and administrative records for as long as reasonably necessary.

Children's Privacy

Journal of Geographic Education and Studies (JGES) does not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children without appropriate consent or authorization. If the journal becomes aware that personal information has been submitted by a child in circumstances where such collection is not appropriate, reasonable steps will be taken to address and remove the information where applicable.

Online Policy Scope

This Privacy Statement applies to personal information collected through the journal's website, online submission system, and other digital services operated by or on behalf of the Journal of Geographic Education and Studies (JGES).

It does not necessarily apply to information collected through external websites, third-party services, or offline activities that are not directly governed by the journal's online systems.

Consent

By using the website and online services of Journal of Geographic Education and Studies (JGES), users acknowledge this Privacy Statement and consent to the collection and use of information as described herein, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

Where specific consent is required for the collection or processing of personal information, the journal will seek such consent through appropriate means.

Changes to This Privacy Statement

The journal may update this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect changes in its publishing practices, website functionality, legal requirements, or privacy practices. Any updated version will be made available on the journal website.