Effective date: 25 October 2025
This Privacy Statement explains how WEST AFRICAN RESEARCH PUBLISHER LTD (“WAR Publisher”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, stores, discloses and protects personal data when you visit the WAR Journal of Multidisciplinary Bulletin (WARJMB) website, submit manuscripts, act as an author, reviewer or editor, register for alerts, or otherwise contact the journal. This statement applies to personal data processed in connection with the journal and its editorial operations.
Who we are
Publisher: WEST AFRICAN RESEARCH PUBLISHER LTD (WAR Publisher)
Registered company number: 8019628
(governed by Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020)
Editorial Office: GP753 Ankpa Quarters, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
Email: editorial@warpublisher.com · contact@warpublisher.com
Phone: +91 9101781106
How we use personal data (purposes & lawful bases)
We process personal data for the following purposes and lawful bases:
- To manage manuscript submissions and peer review (performance of contract / legitimate interests).
- To communicate with authors, reviewers, editors and enquirers (performance of contract / legitimate interests / consent where required).
- To administer publication, assign DOIs (Zenedo), and preserve the record (Internet Archive) (legal/contractual obligations and legitimate interests).
- To operate the website, provide alerts, and manage accounts (legitimate interests / consent for marketing communications).
- To detect and prevent fraud, plagiarism and other misconduct (legitimate interests and compliance with ethical obligations).
- To process payments and refunds (where applicable) (performance of contract and legal obligations).
- To comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests from authorities (legal obligation).
- For analytics and service improvement (legitimate interests — aggregate/statistical only unless consented).
- To notify users of policy changes, production updates, or other operational matters (legitimate interests / contractual communication).
Cookies & tracking technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the website, improve user experience, and collect analytics. Cookies fall into categories such as strictly necessary, performance/analytics, and functional. We may use third-party analytics and tracking services (e.g., analytics providers and other service vendors). Where required by law, we obtain consent for non-essential cookies and provide controls to opt out.
Sharing & third-party processors
We do not sell personal data. We share personal data only as necessary with trusted processors and service providers to perform journal functions, including but not limited to:
- DOI registration and metadata services (Zenedo).
- Long-term preservation services (Internet Archive).
- Hosting providers, submission and editorial management systems, plagiarism/similarity checking services, email service providers, payment processors, and analytics providers.
- External reviewers and editorial board members (as necessary for peer review).
- Legal and regulatory authorities, when required by law.
Where data is shared with third parties, we use contracts and technical measures to require appropriate safeguards and limit use to specified purposes.
International transfers
Some third-party processors or recipients (for example DOI, hosting, or archiving providers) may operate outside Nigeria. Where we transfer personal data internationally we will implement appropriate safeguards (standard contractual clauses, other legally recognized mechanisms, or reliance on approved frameworks) to protect personal data.
Data retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes described, to comply with legal obligations, or to defend legal claims. Typical retention periods include:
- Submission and publication records (including peer review correspondence): retained for at least 7 years after publication or final editorial decision.
- Account/contact and subscription records: retained until the account is closed or opt-out, and thereafter for up to 2 years for administrative purposes unless longer retention is required.
- Financial and billing records: retained for 7 years to meet legal and tax obligations.
- Website analytics and logs: retained in aggregated or anonymised form; raw logs for up to 24 months unless required otherwise.
If you request deletion, we will remove personal data unless we are required to retain it for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business reasons (for example, to maintain a reliable scholarly record).
Your rights
Depending on applicable law, you may have rights including to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Request deletion (erasure) of personal data where there is no lawful ground for retention.
- Request restriction of processing.
- Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
- Request data portability where processing is based on consent or contract and carried out by automated means.
- Withdraw consent where the processing is based on consent (withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal).
To exercise any right, contact us at editorial@warpublisher.com or write to our editorial office (postal address above). We will respond to requests in accordance with applicable law.
Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against accidental loss, misuse, or unauthorized access. Measures include access controls, encryption where appropriate, secure hosting, and staff training. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; in the event of a personal data breach that creates a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify affected individuals and regulators as required by law.
Children & age limits
The journal and website are intended for adult researchers and professionals. If you are under 18, do not provide personal data without parental or guardian consent. If you believe we have collected personal data of a child without appropriate consent, contact us so we can take corrective action.
Links to other sites
Our site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites. Please review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
Marketing communications & mailing lists
If you sign up for alerts or newsletters you may receive occasional emails about new issues, calls for papers, or journal news. You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in emails or by contacting editorial@warpublisher.com. We will only send marketing communications if you have consented or where we have a legitimate interest and a lawful basis to do so.
Plagiarism checks and peer review confidentiality
Manuscripts submitted to WARJMB may be screened for similarity using specialist similarity-checking services and may be shared confidentially with selected reviewers and editorial board members as part of the peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to maintain confidentiality of manuscript content.
Changes to this Privacy Statement
We may update this Privacy Statement to reflect changes in legal requirements or our practices. The “Effective date” at the top indicates when this version came into effect. Material changes will be notified on the website.
Contact & complaints
For privacy enquiries, to exercise your rights, or to make a complaint:
Editorial Office (Data / Privacy contact)
WEST AFRICAN RESEARCH PUBLISHER LTD (WAR Publisher)
GP753 Ankpa Quarters, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
Email: editorial@warpublisher.com · contact@warpublisher.com
Phone: +91 9101781106
If you remain dissatisfied after contacting us, you may lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority or supervisory body.