Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2025

At Haroon Digital Platform ("we", "us", or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and safeguarding the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, with whom we share it, and the rights you have over it.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

Account Registration: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, and a hashed password.
Profile Information: Optional profile details you choose to provide, such as your academic affiliation or areas of interest.
Usage Data: Information about how you use the platform, including articles viewed, searches performed, bookmarks saved, and download history.
Device & Log Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and timestamps of access, collected automatically when you visit our site.
Communications: Messages you send us through the contact form or by email.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide, operate, and improve the Platform and its features.
Authenticate your identity and maintain the security of your account.
Personalise your experience by recommending relevant articles.
Send you transactional emails (e.g., account confirmation, password reset).
Send you article publication notifications, if you have opted in via your profile settings.
Respond to your inquiries and support requests.
Analyse usage patterns to enhance platform performance and content quality.
Comply with our legal obligations.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Maintain your session and keep you logged in.
Remember your language and display preferences.
Analyse site traffic and usage patterns (via privacy-respecting analytics).

You can control cookie settings through your browser. Disabling cookies may limit some functionality of the Platform.

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share data only in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers: Trusted third-party providers who assist us in operating the Platform (e.g., email delivery, hosting), bound by confidentiality obligations.
Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
Protection of Rights: To protect the safety, rights, or property of Haroon Digital Platform, our users, or the public.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services to you. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by contacting us at info@haroon.com. We will process your request within 30 days, subject to legal retention obligations.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures, including HTTPS encryption, hashed password storage (bcrypt), and access controls, to protect your data. However, no transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
Objection: Object to certain processing of your data.
Portability: Request your data in a portable, machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@haroon.com.

8. Third-Party Links

Our Platform may contain links to external websites or scientific journals. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third-party sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

9. Children's Privacy

Haroon Digital Platform is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child has provided us with personal data, we will delete it promptly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice on the Platform or by email. The updated policy will take effect upon posting.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Email: info@haroon.com