Privacy Policy
Effective date: March 31, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how FigScan (“FigScan”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses, and shares information when you visit figscan.org, use our web application, or interact with our scientific image integrity screening services (the “Services”).
1. Information we collect
- Contact and account information: such as your name, email address, organization, role, and login credentials (if you create an account).
- Uploaded content: files you submit for screening (e.g., PDF manuscripts, figure packages, images) and related metadata you provide.
- Service outputs: screening results and report artifacts generated from your submissions.
- Usage and device data: IP address, browser type, pages viewed, timestamps, referrers, and diagnostic logs.
- Cookies and similar technologies: used for essential functionality, preferences, security, and analytics (where applicable).
2. How we use information
- Provide, operate, and maintain the Services, including screening submissions and generating reports.
- Authenticate users, administer accounts, and provide support.
- Improve reliability, performance, and security; prevent abuse and troubleshoot issues.
- Communicate with you about service updates, requests, and administrative messages.
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use.
3. Uploaded content and confidentiality
Your uploaded content is processed to provide the Services. We treat uploads and resulting reports as confidential and do not make them publicly available.
We do not use customer-uploaded content to train or improve publicly available models unless you explicitly agree in writing. We may use aggregated, de-identified operational metrics (for example, throughput and error rates) to improve service performance.
4. How we share information
We may share information in the following cases:
- Service providers: vetted vendors that help us host, operate, monitor, and support the Services (e.g., infrastructure, analytics, email delivery), under contractual confidentiality and security obligations.
- Legal and safety: to comply with law, respond to lawful requests, protect rights and safety, or investigate misuse.
- Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to appropriate protections.
5. Data retention
We retain information as needed to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention periods may vary based on the type of data, contractual commitments, and operational needs.
6. Security
We implement technical and organizational measures designed to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
7. International data transfers
If you access the Services from outside the country where our systems are hosted, your information may be transferred and processed in other jurisdictions. We take steps designed to ensure appropriate safeguards for such transfers.
8. Your rights and choices
Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export personal information, and to object to or restrict certain processing. To exercise rights, contact us at contact@figscan.org.
9. Contact
Questions about this Privacy Policy can be sent to contact@figscan.org.