Privacy, without
the fine print.

About this policy

This Privacy Policy explains how dropNote handles personal information when you visit, create an account on, upload content to, or otherwise use the platform.

By using dropNote, you acknowledge that you have read this Privacy Policy. Where applicable, we will obtain any consent required by law before processing personal information on the basis of consent.

We aim to collect only information that is relevant and reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy.

Information we collect

The information we collect depends on how you use dropNote.

Account information

When you create an account, we may collect information such as your name and email address, together with information needed to maintain and secure your account.

Academic profile information

If you provide it, we may process information such as your institution, department, academic interests, profile information and other details you choose to associate with your account.

Uploaded academic works

When you submit an academic work, we process the information you provide with that submission. This may include the title, abstract, author information, institution, department, subject, work type, academic year, keywords and the uploaded document.

Communications

If you contact us, we may collect your name, email address, message and any other information you choose to include in your communication.

Technical and security information

We may receive limited technical information about interactions with the platform, such as information needed to maintain security, prevent abuse, diagnose technical problems and keep the service functioning.

We do not ask you to provide sensitive personal information unless it is genuinely necessary for a specific service or process.

How we use information

We use information for purposes that are connected to operating and improving dropNote, including:

• creating and managing user accounts;
• authenticating users and protecting accounts;
• allowing users to submit and manage academic works;
• reviewing and moderating submitted content;
• making approved academic resources available through the platform;
• responding to questions, reports and support requests;
• preventing fraud, abuse, unauthorised access and other misuse;
• maintaining, troubleshooting and improving the platform; and
• complying with applicable legal obligations.

Our legal bases

Depending on the circumstances, we may process personal information because it is necessary to provide a service you requested, to comply with a legal obligation, to protect our legitimate interests and the security of the platform, or because you have given consent where consent is required.

What may become public

dropNote is an academic discovery and sharing platform. Some information connected to an approved academic work may therefore be visible to other users or visitors.

Depending on the submission, this may include the work's title, abstract, author name, institution, department, subject, year, keywords, document information and other details intentionally provided for publication.

Do not upload personal, confidential or restricted information that you are not authorised to share.

If you are submitting work that belongs to another person or institution, you are responsible for making sure you have the necessary permission or rights to submit it.

When information may be shared

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share or allow access to information where reasonably necessary to operate dropNote, provide a service you requested, protect users and the platform, or comply with the law.

Service providers

We may use trusted third-party service providers for functions such as infrastructure, authentication, document storage, communications, security and other technical services. These providers may process information only as necessary to provide the relevant service.

Legal and safety requirements

We may disclose information where we reasonably believe disclosure is required by applicable law, legal process, or necessary to protect the rights, safety, security or property of dropNote, our users, or others.

Public academic content

Information that you intentionally submit for publication as part of an approved academic work may be displayed publicly as part of the service.

Protecting your information

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, loss or destruction.

Access to information is limited where reasonably possible to people, systems and service providers that need it for legitimate purposes.

However, no online service can guarantee absolute security. You should use a strong, unique password and keep your account credentials confidential.

How long we keep information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including providing the service, maintaining records, resolving disputes, enforcing agreements and complying with legal obligations.

The length of retention may vary depending on the type of information and why it was collected.

When information is no longer reasonably required, we may delete it, anonymise it, or otherwise securely dispose of it where appropriate.

Your privacy rights

Subject to applicable law and any relevant exceptions, you may have rights concerning your personal information.

Exercising a right does not necessarily mean that all information can be immediately deleted. We may need to retain certain information where required or permitted by law.

Children's privacy

dropNote is intended for users who are legally able to use the service under applicable law.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children where such collection is prohibited or requires additional safeguards without the necessary authorisation.

If you believe a child has provided personal information to us in circumstances where this was not appropriate, please contact us so that we can review the situation.

External services and links

dropNote may contain links to websites or services operated by third parties.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security or content of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external service before providing personal information.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as dropNote develops, our practices change, or legal requirements are updated.

When we make changes, we will update the date shown at the beginning of this policy. Where appropriate, we may provide additional notice for material changes.

Questions about privacy?

If you have a privacy question, want to exercise an applicable data-protection right, or believe your personal information has been handled improperly, contact us.

If you are not satisfied with how your concern is handled, you may also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission or another competent supervisory authority, depending on the circumstances.