Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 2026

This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected when using MetaReview, how it may be used, and the measures taken to protect user privacy. By accessing or using MetaReview, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

1. About MetaReview

MetaReview is designed to support academic discovery, evidence synthesis, and the exploration of secondary studies across computing disciplines. The platform aggregates scholarly metadata and provides tools for navigating curated research collections and review-oriented literature.

2. Information We Collect

MetaReview may collect anonymous or aggregated usage information, including pages visited, search queries, clicked collections or categories, interaction patterns, session activity, device and browser information, referral sources, and general usage statistics. This information is used to improve platform usability, optimise discovery features, and better understand trends in scholarly exploration and research behaviour. For example, such analytics may help identify which research domains are most frequently explored, which review types receive the greatest attention, and how users interact with collections, search tools, and scholarly discovery features across the platform.

We may also automatically collect limited technical information necessary for platform functionality, analytics, and security purposes, such as browser type, operating system, approximate geographic region, timestamps, and general server activity logs.

If MetaReview later introduces optional features such as user accounts, saved collections, subscriptions, or contact forms, users may voluntarily provide personal information such as names or email addresses. Such information will only be used for the purposes for which it was provided.

3. Research and Analytics Use

MetaReview may analyse anonymised and aggregated interaction patterns to support platform improvement, usability studies, scholarly analytics research, and academic publications related to research discovery behaviour. Examples may include analysing popular computing domains, frequently explored review methodologies, emerging research interests, or interaction trends across collections and search features. No personally identifying information is intentionally used for research analysis without explicit consent.

4. Cookies and Analytics Technologies

MetaReview may use cookies or privacy-conscious analytics technologies to improve user experience, maintain session functionality, understand platform usage patterns, and enhance performance and reliability. These technologies may collect limited non-personal information related to device usage and interaction with the platform. Users may configure their browser settings to disable cookies where applicable.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

MetaReview does not sell personal information. Aggregated or anonymised statistical insights may be used in academic publications, research reports, platform evaluation studies, or scholarly presentations. We may also rely on trusted third-party infrastructure or analytics providers to operate the platform securely and efficiently.

6. Scholarly Metadata and External Sources

MetaReview aggregates metadata and scholarly information from publicly available academic sources, repositories, and curated datasets. Ownership of original scholarly works remains with the respective authors, publishers, repositories, and data providers. Users are responsible for verifying bibliographic information and properly citing original scholarly sources.

7. Data Security

Reasonable technical and organisational measures are used to protect platform data and maintain service integrity. However, no online service can guarantee absolute security, and users acknowledge that information transmitted over the internet may involve inherent security risks.

8. Third-Party Services

MetaReview may rely on third-party services for hosting, analytics, infrastructure, or scholarly data access. These services may have their own privacy policies and practices.

9. User Rights and Choices

Users may contact us regarding questions about this Privacy Policy, requests concerning personal information, or concerns related to data usage practices. Where applicable, users may request access to personal information they have voluntarily provided, request corrections, or request deletion of such information.

10. Children's Privacy

MetaReview is not directed toward children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

11. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in platform functionality, research practices, or legal requirements. Updated versions will be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. Continued use of MetaReview after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.