Privacy & Cookies Policy

2025.07.07

1. Who We Are

O2SCI (“we”, “our”, “us”) operates [https://o2sci.com/detection], a service using AI to detect academic misconduct in scholarly texts. This Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal data.

2. Contact Details

If you have questions, contact us at:

· Email: service@O2Sci.com

· Address: Room 1801, Easey Commercial Building, 253-261 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China.

3. Data We Collect

We collect and process:

· Account Data – name, email, institution, password

· Uploaded Documents – manuscripts, references, text (which may contain personal data of authors)

· Technical Data – IP address, browser type, device info

· Usage Data – activity logs, website interactions

· Cookies Data – identifiers and analytics data

· Communication Data – emails, support messages

4. How We Use Your Data

We use your data to:

· Provide our AI analysis services

· Improve and develop our systems

· Communicate with you

· Comply with legal obligations

5. Legal Bases

We process personal data under:

· Contract performance

· Legitimate interests (service improvement, security)

· Compliance with laws

· Consent (where required, e.g. cookies)

6. Automated Decision-Making and AI

We use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze documents and spot possible signs of academic misconduct.

· Our AI suggests risk scores or highlights possible issues in text and references.

· These results are advisory only and do not result in automatic decisions affecting your rights or reputation without human review.

· You can request human intervention, ask how our AI works, share your views, or challenge any outcomes.

How Our AI Works

Our AI examines text and citation data to detect patterns linked to potential misconduct, like unusual similarities or citation issues. It produces risk scores or flags certain sections, but humans always review AI results before any action is taken.

7. Data Sharing

We may share personal data with:

· Cloud hosting providers

· Analytics providers

· Research integrity partners (only under strict agreements and safeguards)

· Authorities if required by law

We ensure appropriate safeguards (e.g. Standard Contractual Clauses).

8. Data Retention

We keep data only as long as necessary for:

· Providing our services

· Legal obligations

· Security and dispute resolution

Uploaded documents can be deleted upon your request or after  6 months.

9. Your Rights

You have the right to:

· Access your data

· Correct inaccuracies

· Request deletion

· Restrict or object to processing

· Request data portability

· Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at service@O2Sci.com. We may verify your identity before processing your request.

10. Cookies

We use cookies to:

· Enable essential website functions

· Analyze website usage

· Improve your experience

Types of Cookies:

· Essential Cookies – required for platform operation

· Analytics Cookies – help us understand how users interact with our services

· Functional Cookies – remember preferences and settings

Where required, we request your consent for non-essential cookies. You can manage cookies via your browser settings.

11. Security

We use technical and organizational measures to protect personal data, including:

· Encryption of data in transit and at rest

· Access controls

· Regular security testing and monitoring

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. We’ll notify you of significant changes where required.

13. Complaints

If you’re concerned about how we handle your data, you can:

· Contact us at service@O2Sci.com

· Complain to your local data protection authority