1. our promise to you

we will never sell or rent your personal data to third-party marketers.
we use your information only to provide and enhance your sci-nest experience.
we practice strict security measures to keep your data safe and private.
we respect your rights to access, update, or delete your personal information at any time.
we strive to be transparent about our data handling processes, so you always know what’s happening with your information.

2. information we collect

we collect only the information needed to keep sci-nest functional, safe, and user-friendly:

account details: when you sign up, we request a username and email address. you may optionally provide additional profile details such as affiliation, biography, and research interests.
user-generated content: any content you share on sci-nest (including nests and reactions) will be stored (encoded for private ones) on our servers.
usage data: to keep sci-nest running smoothly and securely, we automatically gather anonymous data about your device, browser type, ip address, and interactions with the platform.
cookies and similar technologies:~~we use cookies and other tracking technologies to personalize your experience and analyze platform performance.~~

2.1 why we collect your information

we collect and use your information for these essential purposes:

account security: to create, maintain, and protect your account, including password protection and verification procedures.
community interaction: to facilitate open discussions, latex formatting, paper ownership claims, and engagement with nests raised by fellow users.
improvements and analysis: to evaluate and improve platform functionality, enhance user satisfaction, and troubleshoot technical problems.
communication: to send notifications about new comments, nests, or updates that may be relevant to your interests or account activities.
safety and moderation: to promptly address and manage any inappropriate content, abusive behavior, or rule violations that could harm our users.

we do not sell or rent your personal information. in limited situations, we may share your data:

legal requirements: we may disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights and the safety of others.
trusted service providers: we work with reputable third-party providers (e.g., hosting, analytics) to operate and improve sci-nest. these partners agree to protect your information and use it only as needed to provide services to us.
business transfers: if sci-nest is involved in a merger, acquisition, or other corporate restructuring, your information may be transferred, subject to the same privacy commitments.

2.3. how we protect your information

the privacy and security of your information is our highest priority. we employ industry-standard security safeguards and regularly update our systems to defend against potential threats:

secure infrastructure: our servers use firewalls, encryption protocols, and other safeguards to protect stored data.
encrypted credentials: we never store your password in plain text. passwords are securely hashed and salted.
limited data access: only authorized personnel with a legitimate need to manage the platform can access user information, and they follow strict confidentiality guidelines.
regular assessments: we conduct routine security reviews and updates to address emerging vulnerabilities.

while we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission or storage is entirely foolproof. we encourage you to keep your password confidential and enable any additional security features we may provide.

4.community safety and guidelines

we strive to create a trustworthy space for sharing and discussing academic work, where everyone can feel respected and secure:

respectful environment: we ask all users to adhere to our community guidelines, which prohibit harassment, hate speech, and other harmful behaviors.
proactive moderation: our moderation team reviews reported content and will take action to remove or restrict content that endangers the safety or comfort of our community members.
reporting and support: if you encounter any nests, please reach out to us. we take all reports seriously and will respond as quickly as possible to maintain a safe environment.

5. data retention and deletion

we keep your information as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy or as required by law:

active accounts: your profile information and user-generated content remain available while your account is active.
account closure: if you close your account or request deletion, we will remove your personal information and any identifying details within a reasonable time frame. anonymized or aggregated data may remain for legitimate business uses, such as improving our platform.

6. your rights and control

we want you to feel in control of your personal information:

access and updates: you can update or correct your profile details in your account settings at any time.
delete your data: you can request that we delete or remove personal information if you believe it’s no longer necessary or has been collected unlawfully.
opt out of communications: you can manage your notification preferences through your account settings or unsubscribe links in our emails.
withdraw consent: where we rely on your consent to process information, you can withdraw it at any time.

contact us

if you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding your privacy and safety on sci-nest, please reach out to our support team. we take all inquiries seriously and will do our best to help you feel secure and confident while using our platform.

thank you for choosing sci-nest. your trust matters to us, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe, private, and respectful academic community.