The International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences (IJHACSS) is committed to respecting personal privacy, protecting confidential information, and maintaining responsible data-handling practices throughout its scholarly publishing activities.

As an international multidisciplinary academic journal, IJHACSS recognizes that trust is essential to the relationship between authors, reviewers, editors, research participants, readers, and the wider scholarly community.

Academic publishing frequently involves the exchange of personal information, unpublished manuscripts, confidential research materials, professional correspondence, and intellectual contributions. Research in the humanities, arts, commerce, and social sciences may also contain sensitive information concerning individuals, communities, institutions, cultural traditions, political perspectives, or personal experiences.

We recognize our responsibility to handle such information with appropriate care.

This Privacy Policy explains the categories of information collected through the journal's website and editorial activities, the purposes for which information may be processed, the circumstances in which it may be disclosed, and the options available to individuals seeking information about their personal data.

Our guiding principle is that personal information should be collected and used responsibly, for clearly identified and legitimate purposes, with appropriate safeguards against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or misuse.

By interacting with the journal's services, individuals should be able to understand how their information is handled. Where consent is required, it will be sought separately and in accordance with applicable law.

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information processed in connection with IJHACSS's journal website, editorial management system, and related publishing services.

It covers information associated with:

• Authors and corresponding authors.
• Co-authors and academic contributors.
• Editors and Editorial Board members.
• Peer reviewers and reviewer applicants.
• Manuscript submissions and revisions.
• Editorial correspondence and manuscript decisions.
• Readers and website visitors.
• Contact enquiries and academic communications.
• Recruitment applications for editorial or reviewer positions.
• Publication administration and article processing charges.
• Published articles and bibliographic records.
• Reports concerning publication ethics or research integrity.

This policy also addresses the treatment of sensitive research-related material that may be submitted as part of manuscripts or supplementary documentation.

The policy applies to information collected through online forms, author accounts, manuscript files, email communications, and other authorized journal channels.

The International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences (IJHACSS) is published by LBS Publication, a unit of SharLak Foundation.

For information handled through the journal's publishing services, the responsible publishing organization determines the purposes and means of processing in accordance with its organizational responsibilities and applicable law.

Journal: International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences (IJHACSS)

Publisher: LBS Publication (A Unit of SharLak Foundation)

Website: https://khaki-starling-459600.hostingersite.com/

Editorial Contact: editor@ijhacss.com

Support Contact: support@ijhacss.com

Questions regarding personal information, privacy practices, or data-related requests may be submitted through the journal's official contact channels.

IJHACSS collects or receives information necessary for the management of academic publishing, editorial communication, and related journal services.

The categories of information depend on the nature of an individual's interaction with the journal.

4.1 Information Provided by Authors

When authors register or submit manuscripts, the journal may collect:

• Full name.
• Email address.
• Institutional affiliation.
• Academic department or designation.
• Country and institutional address.
• Contact telephone number, where provided or required.
• ORCID identifier, where available.
• Account credentials and profile information.
• Manuscript title, abstract, keywords, and subject category.
• Submitted manuscripts and supporting documents.
• Authorship and contribution declarations.
• Funding and conflict-of-interest statements.
• Ethical approval and consent declarations.
• Correspondence relating to submission, revision, and publication.

Authors should provide accurate information and avoid including unnecessary personal details.

4.2 Information Provided by Reviewers

Individuals serving as peer reviewers may provide:

• Name and professional contact information.
• Academic qualifications.
• Institutional affiliation.
• Areas of research expertise.
• Relevant academic experience.
• Reviewer registration or application information.
• Conflicts of interest.
• Review reports, recommendations, and editorial correspondence.
• Records of review invitations and completed assignments.

This information is used to identify suitable reviewers, coordinate peer review, and maintain appropriate records of editorial assessment.

4.3 Information Provided by Editors and Editorial Board Members

Editors and Editorial Board members may provide professional biographies, institutional affiliations, research specializations, contact information, and other details necessary for editorial administration.

Certain professional details may be published on the journal website with appropriate authorization.

4.4 Information Collected Through Contact Forms

Visitors using the journal's enquiry form may be asked to provide their name, email address, WhatsApp or telephone number, and message.

This information is used to receive, assess, and respond to enquiries.

Individuals should avoid submitting passwords, confidential reviewer reports, or unnecessary sensitive personal information through general contact forms.

4.5 Information Relating to Publication Payments

Where article processing charges apply, the journal may receive payment-related information such as the payer's name, billing details, transaction reference, payment status, invoice information, and receipt records.

Where an external payment service is used, payment information may also be processed by the relevant service provider according to its own privacy terms.

The journal should not request that authors send complete card credentials, passwords, or payment authentication codes through email or contact forms.

4.6 Automatically Collected Technical Information

When visitors access the website, certain technical information may be collected by the website, hosting provider, or authorized services.

Such information may include:

• Internet Protocol (IP) address.
• Browser type and version.
• Device and operating-system information.
• Date and time of access.
• Requested pages and website interactions.
• Session and login information.
• Error logs and basic security events.
• Cookie identifiers, where applicable.

Technical information may be used for website functionality, security, troubleshooting, and service improvement.

IJHACSS processes personal information for specific journal-related purposes.

These may include:

Manuscript Administration

Receiving submissions, managing manuscripts, assigning identification numbers, and maintaining editorial records.

Editorial Evaluation

Supporting initial screening, editor assignment, peer review, manuscript revision, and editorial decisions.

Academic Communication

Sending submission acknowledgments, review invitations, revision requests, editorial decisions, publication updates, and responses to enquiries.

Publication Production

Preparing accepted manuscripts, verifying author information, arranging article metadata, and publishing scholarly articles.

Reviewer and Editorial Management

Maintaining reviewer profiles, identifying suitable academic specialists, managing invitations, and supporting editorial operations.

Publication Ethics

Examining concerns involving plagiarism, authorship, research integrity, conflicts of interest, corrections, or retractions.

Journal Administration

Maintaining submission histories, publication records, financial documentation, and relevant organizational records.

Website Security and Maintenance

Protecting accounts, preventing unauthorized access, investigating technical problems, and maintaining the reliability of journal services.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Complying with applicable legal obligations and responding to lawful requests where required.

Personal information should not be used for unrelated purposes without an appropriate legal basis, notice, or consent where required.

Unpublished manuscripts are confidential scholarly documents.

IJHACSS recognizes that manuscripts may contain original research ideas, unpublished findings, theoretical arguments, archival discoveries, artistic material, and other intellectual contributions.

Access to submitted manuscripts should be restricted to individuals with a legitimate role in the editorial or publication process.

These may include authorized editorial staff, handling editors, reviewers, and production personnel.

Manuscript Confidentiality

The journal is committed to protecting unpublished manuscripts from unauthorized disclosure or inappropriate use.

Manuscripts should not be circulated beyond individuals involved in legitimate editorial activities without suitable authorization.

Editorial Correspondence

Communications between authors, editors, and reviewers are treated as confidential editorial records, subject to applicable legal requirements and publication ethics procedures.

Intellectual Property

Unpublished arguments, research findings, cultural materials, and creative works must not be appropriated or used for personal advantage by individuals who obtain access through the editorial process.

Ethical Investigations

Limited disclosure of relevant information may be necessary when addressing serious publication ethics concerns, authorship disputes, or lawful institutional investigations.

Such disclosures should be proportionate and handled with appropriate safeguards.

IJHACSS follows a double-blind peer-review model.

Under this model, authors' and reviewers' identities are ordinarily concealed from one another.

Protection of Reviewer Identity

Reviewer names, contact details, confidential comments, and other identifying information are not ordinarily disclosed to authors or the public.

Reviewer identities may be accessible to authorized editors and administrators responsible for managing the review process.

Protection of Author Identity

The journal requires manuscripts to be appropriately anonymized for external review.

Authors should remove identifying information from the main review manuscript while submitting necessary personal details separately.

Reviewer Confidentiality

Reviewers are expected to keep manuscripts and related communications confidential.

Reviewers must not share submitted material, disclose unpublished findings, or use manuscripts for unauthorized purposes.

Reviewer identities and confidential editorial records may be disclosed only where appropriately authorized or legally required.

Absolute anonymity cannot always be guaranteed when public preprints, distinctive research projects, or other publicly available information indirectly reveal authorship.

IJHACSS recognizes that research in the humanities, arts, commerce, and social sciences may involve individuals whose personal experiences, opinions, identities, or circumstances require careful protection.

Relevant research may include:

• Interviews and focus groups.
• Psychological or behavioural investigations.
• Ethnographic fieldwork.
• Educational surveys.
• Community-based research.
• Oral history projects.
• Social and political studies.
• Organizational and workplace research.
• Research involving children or vulnerable individuals.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Authors must take appropriate measures to protect participant privacy.

Names, contact details, institutional identifiers, photographs, and other identifying information should not be disclosed when confidentiality has been promised or disclosure is otherwise inappropriate.

Pseudonyms, anonymization, aggregation, or other safeguards may be used where suitable.

Indirect Identification

Removing a participant's name may not always provide sufficient protection.

A combination of occupational details, geographical location, institutional affiliation, social circumstances, or other contextual information may allow an individual to be identified.

Authors should consider such risks before submitting or publishing research material.

Informed Consent

Research involving human participants must comply with applicable ethical and consent requirements.

Where identifiable personal information is intended for publication, appropriate authorization and any required publication-specific consent must be obtained.

The corresponding author is responsible for confirming that the submitted research complies with relevant ethical requirements.

IJHACSS recognizes that privacy considerations may vary significantly across disciplines and research settings.

9.1 Interviews and Personal Narratives

Interview transcripts and personal narratives may contain identifiable information, sensitive experiences, or confidential disclosures.

Authors should obtain appropriate consent, protect confidential identities, and ensure that quoted material is used consistently with the terms communicated to participants.

9.2 Ethnographic and Community Research

Ethnographic studies may involve detailed descriptions of communities, cultural practices, social relationships, and personal circumstances.

Researchers should consider whether descriptions could inadvertently identify individuals or expose communities to foreseeable harm.

9.3 Oral Histories

Oral history research may involve identifiable narrators who have agreed to public attribution.

Where public identification is permitted, authors should accurately represent the narrator's preferences, consent conditions, and any relevant restrictions.

Where confidentiality was promised, identities must be protected appropriately.

9.4 Historical and Archival Materials

Historical documents may contain personal information about living individuals or material subject to access and reproduction restrictions.

Authors must comply with relevant laws, archival conditions, and ethical obligations.

Public availability of a document does not necessarily remove all privacy concerns.

9.5 Cultural and Indigenous Knowledge

Research involving indigenous communities, cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, sacred practices, or restricted community materials should respect applicable cultural protocols and confidentiality requirements.

Authors should avoid disclosing culturally restricted material without suitable authorization.

9.6 Workplace and Business Research

Studies involving employees, customers, organizations, financial information, or business operations must respect confidentiality obligations and applicable data protection requirements.

Sensitive commercial information should not be disclosed without appropriate permission or another valid legal basis.

Research in the arts, humanities, and social sciences may involve photographs, video recordings, artistic performances, interviews, documentary films, or other visual and audiovisual materials.

Such materials can contain personal information, even when the subject's name is not provided.

Identifiable Images

Where an identifiable person's image is included in a manuscript, authors must ensure that its use and publication are ethically and legally permissible.

Appropriate consent may be required depending on the circumstances.

Audio and Video Recordings

Recordings of interviews, performances, meetings, or community activities should not be submitted or published in violation of confidentiality agreements or applicable consent requirements.

Image Metadata

Digital files may contain embedded information such as location, device details, dates, or identifying metadata.

Authors should examine and remove unnecessary metadata before submission when its disclosure could create privacy or security risks.

Artistic and Archival Materials

The privacy rights of identifiable individuals and the intellectual property rights of creators must be considered separately.

Appropriate attribution alone does not always authorize publication of personal or copyrighted material.

Academic publishing requires certain information to be made publicly available.

When a manuscript is accepted and published, the journal ordinarily makes relevant bibliographic details accessible to readers.

These may include:

• Article title.
• Author names.
• Institutional affiliations.
• Corresponding author details, where designated for publication.
• ORCID identifiers.
• Abstract and keywords.
• Publication date.
• Volume and issue information.
• DOI and other bibliographic identifiers.
• Funding, author contribution, and conflict-of-interest declarations where applicable.

Such information supports accurate attribution, scholarly discovery, citation, transparency, and research accountability.

Published metadata may be shared with DOI registration agencies, indexing services, scholarly databases, repositories, and other legitimate academic discovery systems.

Authors should understand that information deliberately included in a published open-access article or its public metadata may become widely accessible and may be copied or indexed by third-party services.

The journal will consider legitimate correction or privacy requests, but it may not be possible to remove all copies of information already distributed through external academic systems.

The IJHACSS website may use cookies or similar technologies to support website functions, user authentication, security, and other authorized purposes.

Cookies are small data files or identifiers used by websites to maintain or recognize certain information about browser sessions.

Depending on the technologies implemented, these may include:

Essential Cookies

Used for login sessions, authentication, security, and core website operations.

Preference Cookies

Used to retain permitted user preferences, where such functions are provided.

Analytics Cookies

May be used to understand website traffic and improve services if analytics tools are enabled.

Third-Party Cookies

May arise from embedded services or third-party integrations, where implemented.

Non-essential cookies should be subject to applicable notice and consent requirements.

Users may be able to manage cookies through their browser settings or any consent controls provided by the website.

Disabling essential cookies may affect login functionality or other journal services.

The categories described above do not imply that every type of cookie is currently deployed. The journal's published cookie disclosures should reflect the technologies actually used.

IJHACSS does not intend to use author or reviewer information as a commercial mailing list or sell personal information to advertisers or data brokers.

Personal information may be shared where necessary for legitimate journal operations, subject to appropriate safeguards.

Potential recipients may include:

• Authorized editors and editorial administrators.
• Independent peer reviewers.
• Website and server-hosting providers.
• Technical service providers maintaining the journal system.
• Email and communication service providers.
• Payment processors, where applicable.
• DOI registration and scholarly indexing services.
• Typesetting and publication production providers.
• Professional advisers or relevant authorities where legally necessary.

Information provided to third parties should be limited to what is reasonably necessary for the applicable purpose.

Confidential reviewer identities, unpublished manuscripts, and restricted research materials should not be made publicly available as part of routine journal operations.

External service providers may be subject to their own privacy terms, contractual obligations, and applicable legal requirements.

IJHACSS recognizes the importance of protecting personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, destruction, or loss.

The journal should maintain technical and organizational safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information and the risks associated with its processing.

Such safeguards may include, where implemented:

• Access controls based on user roles.
• Secure account authentication.
• Protected administrative interfaces.
• Encrypted transmission of information.
• Access restrictions for manuscript files and reviewer records.
• Secure server administration and maintenance.
• Appropriate backup and recovery arrangements.
• Monitoring and investigation of unauthorized access.
• Periodic review of security procedures.
• Restrictions on access by unauthorized personnel.

Access to confidential information should be granted only where necessary for legitimate journal responsibilities.

No internet-based system can guarantee absolute protection against every security threat.

Accordingly, the journal should continuously review its safeguards and take reasonable steps to address identified risks.

Authors and reviewers are also encouraged to protect their login credentials and avoid sharing account access with unauthorized individuals.

IJHACSS retains information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill legitimate publishing, administrative, ethical, or legal purposes.

Different categories of information may require different retention periods.

Manuscript and Editorial Records

Submission histories, editorial decisions, review reports, correspondence, and related documentation may need to be retained to support the integrity of the scholarly record and address disputes or research integrity concerns.

Published Article Records

Published articles and essential bibliographic information may require long-term preservation to maintain accurate academic citations and publication history.

User Accounts

Account-related information may be retained while an account remains active or where continued retention is justified by editorial, contractual, or legal requirements.

Contact Enquiries

Enquiry information should not be retained longer than necessary for responding to the enquiry and fulfilling any related administrative obligation.

Financial Records

Payment and transaction records may be retained for periods required under applicable accounting, taxation, or other legal requirements.

Data Deletion

When personal data is no longer required and no valid retention obligation applies, it should be securely deleted or anonymized, as appropriate.

Deletion requests will be evaluated in light of applicable law, legitimate recordkeeping requirements, and the need to maintain the integrity of published scholarship.

Individuals whose personal information is processed by IJHACSS may have rights under applicable data protection laws.

Depending on the circumstances and governing law, these may include the right to:

Request Access

Seek information about personal data processed by the journal.

Request Correction

Ask for inaccurate or outdated personal information to be corrected.

Request Erasure

Request deletion of information where applicable legal conditions are satisfied.

Withdraw Consent

Withdraw consent for processing activities that depend on consent, subject to applicable legal requirements and other valid grounds for continued processing.

Raise a Grievance

Contact the journal regarding concerns about personal data handling.

Exercise Other Applicable Rights

Where relevant, additional rights may be available under applicable data protection laws, including rights relating to grievance redressal, nomination, or data portability.

Requests may be submitted through the journal's official contact channels.

For security reasons, the journal may require appropriate verification of the requester's identity before disclosing or modifying account information.

Requests will be considered within the time limits prescribed by applicable law.

Certain requests may be restricted where the journal must preserve records for legal compliance, research integrity, publication accountability, or other lawful purposes.

Where personal information is processed on the basis of consent, the journal should obtain valid consent in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Individuals should receive clear information about the purpose of collection and the intended use of their information.

Consent for optional activities should not be bundled unnecessarily with unrelated journal services.

Where legally applicable, consent may be withdrawn through the journal's designated privacy contact or other available controls.

Withdrawal does not automatically invalidate processing that was lawful before withdrawal.

It may also not require deletion of information that must be retained under an independent legal obligation or another permitted ground.

Authors should recognize that withdrawal requests concerning published information may require special consideration because publication records form part of the scholarly record.

IJHACSS welcomes submissions and participation from researchers worldwide.

Consequently, personal information may be processed in connection with international editorial activities or services.

International processing may arise through:

• Reviewers and editors located in different countries.
• Overseas authors and corresponding authors.
• Authorized hosting or technical service providers.
• Cross-border email communication.
• International DOI registration or indexing activities.

Where personal information is transferred or made accessible across national boundaries, the journal should comply with applicable restrictions and data protection requirements.

Appropriate contractual, organizational, and technical safeguards should be used where required.

The journal should not represent that all personal information remains stored exclusively within India unless this has been verified against its actual hosting, backup, and service-provider arrangements.

IJHACSS is primarily intended for academic and professional users.

The journal does not seek to collect unnecessary personal information about children.

Where minors are directly involved in research studies, authors must comply with applicable consent, ethical approval, and data protection requirements.

For research involving children or other vulnerable participants, additional safeguards may be necessary to protect privacy and reduce foreseeable risks.

Identifiable participant information should not be included in submissions unless its collection, submission, and intended use are appropriate and lawful.

If the journal becomes aware of personal information collected or processed contrary to applicable requirements, it will assess and take appropriate corrective action.

IJHACSS recognizes the importance of responding promptly and responsibly to incidents involving personal information.

Where an actual or suspected data breach is identified, the responsible personnel should investigate the incident, assess its potential effects, and take appropriate measures to contain and address the problem.

Depending on the circumstances, these measures may include:

• Restricting unauthorized access.
• Securing affected systems.
• Reviewing relevant technical records.
• Assessing the categories of information involved.
• Implementing corrective security measures.
• Notifying affected individuals where required.
• Informing relevant authorities within applicable statutory timeframes.

The journal should maintain appropriate procedures for handling security incidents and protecting affected individuals.

Users who suspect unauthorized account access or improper disclosure of journal-related information should notify the journal promptly through its official contact channels.

IJHACSS intends to handle personal data in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection requirements.

For operations subject to Indian law, relevant legislation includes the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, as their respective provisions become applicable.

Where the journal's activities fall within the territorial or material scope of other data protection legislation, additional obligations may apply.

Such legislation may include the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or other national and regional privacy laws.

This policy does not represent that every international privacy framework automatically applies to all journal activities.

The journal will assess relevant legal obligations according to its actual processing activities, the individuals concerned, and the applicable jurisdiction.

The journal's publication ethics procedures also support responsible handling of confidential academic information and protection of research participants.

Compliance requires appropriate operational practices in addition to publication of this policy.

The IJHACSS website may provide links to external websites, academic databases, DOI services, publisher websites, repositories, and other scholarly resources.

These external services may maintain independent privacy policies and data-handling practices.

IJHACSS does not control the privacy practices of unrelated external websites.

Users are encouraged to review the privacy terms of third-party services before providing personal information through those platforms.

Links to external websites do not necessarily constitute endorsement of their privacy practices.

IJHACSS may review and update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in legal requirements, publishing practices, website functionality, security procedures, or data-handling activities.

Revised versions will be published on the journal's official website.

Where required by applicable law, material changes affecting personal information processing will be communicated through appropriate notice or consent procedures.

The effective date or most recent revision date should be displayed on the published policy.

Users are encouraged to consult the policy periodically to remain informed about how their information is handled.

Individuals wishing to ask questions about personal information, report privacy concerns, or submit an applicable data-rights request may contact the journal.

International Journal of Humanities, Arts, Commerce and Social Sciences (IJHACSS)

Publisher: LBS Publication (A Unit of SharLak Foundation)

Postal Address: Shalbhkas Villa, Behind Bank Colony, Abhimanyu Nagar, Rupaspur, Patna – 801503, Bihar, India.

Editorial Email: editor@ijhacss.com

Support Email: support@ijhacss.com

Telephone: +91 9006063277

Website: https://khaki-starling-459600.hostingersite.com/

Privacy-related communications should identify the nature of the concern and provide sufficient information for the journal to assess the request.

Individuals should avoid transmitting passwords, unnecessary identity documents, or other sensitive information through unsecured communication channels.

Our Privacy Commitment

At IJHACSS, we believe that protecting personal information is part of maintaining trust in academic publishing.

Authors should be able to submit their research with confidence that unpublished intellectual contributions will be handled responsibly. Reviewers should be able to provide independent assessments without inappropriate disclosure of their identities. Research participants should be protected from unnecessary exposure of personal or sensitive information.

The journal seeks to balance the openness of scholarly communication with respect for privacy, confidentiality, research ethics, and intellectual independence.

IJHACSS — Protecting Privacy, Respecting Research Integrity, and Promoting Responsible Scholarly Communication.