Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Data Controller

This Privacy Policy describes how FUTELLA Co., Ltd. ("FUTELLA," "we," "us," or "our"), the operator of Submedit (submedit.com), collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you use our platform.

FUTELLA is the data controller responsible for your personal information. We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Korea, and this Policy is prepared in compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act of the Republic of Korea. We also acknowledge and respect the rights of users in other jurisdictions, including those covered by the EU General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") and the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA"), as described in this Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide the Service, as follows.

2.1 Account Information

Your name and email address when you register. If you sign in via Google, we receive only the name and email address you authorise Google to share.

2.2 Order Information

Your selected service tier and speed, institutional affiliation (optional), principal investigator name (optional), target journal (optional), and any message provided to the editor at the time of ordering.

2.3 Uploaded Files

Manuscript and cover letter files (.docx) submitted for editing. These files are stored securely and treated as strictly confidential in accordance with Section 10 of our Terms of Service.

2.4 Payment Data

Payment is processed by Paddle.com Market Ltd. We do not collect or store your card number or full payment details. We receive from Paddle a transaction reference ID and payment confirmation status only.

2.5 Technical Usage Data

IP address, browser type, device type, and page interaction data, collected automatically for the purpose of operating and securing the Service.

2.6 Support Communications

Content of messages you send to [email protected], retained for support resolution purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information solely for the following purposes: (a) to create and manage your account; (b) to process, fulfil, and communicate the status of your orders; (c) to facilitate payment processing via Paddle; (d) to deliver edited manuscripts and related documentation; (e) to respond to support and enquiry requests; (f) to operate, secure, and improve the Service; and (g) to comply with applicable legal obligations.

We do not use your personal information for direct marketing without your separate, explicit consent.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information on the following legal bases. Account creation, order fulfilment, and payment processing are carried out on the basis of contract performance, as they are necessary to provide the Service you have requested. Retention of tax and financial records is carried out on the basis of legal obligation. Service security, fraud prevention, and support communications are carried out on the basis of our legitimate interests, where those interests are not overridden by your rights. Where consent is the applicable basis, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

5. Third-Party Data Processors and International Data Transfers

To provide the Service, we engage the following sub-processors, to whom your personal data may be transferred internationally. These transfers are made on the basis that they are necessary for the performance of your service contract with FUTELLA, in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act of the Republic of Korea.

(a) Supabase, Inc. (United States) — user authentication, account management, and order database;

(b) Cloudflare, Inc. / R2 Storage (United States) — secure manuscript file storage;

(c) Paddle.com Market Ltd. (United Kingdom) — payment processing;

(d) Amazon Web Services, Inc. (United States) — transactional email delivery and server hosting; and

(e) Google LLC (United States) — social login authentication (Google OAuth).

Each processor is contractually obligated to process your data only for the purposes described above and to maintain appropriate security measures consistent with applicable law.

6. No Use of Manuscripts for AI Training

FUTELLA does not use, and will not use, any manuscript, uploaded file, or personal data submitted through the Service for the purpose of training, fine-tuning, or otherwise developing any artificial intelligence or machine learning model. This prohibition applies to all internal systems and to all third-party processors engaged by FUTELLA.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, as follows:

(a) uploaded manuscript files — two (2) years after order completion or cancellation, then permanently deleted;

(b) order and account data — two (2) years after order completion or cancellation;

(c) active account information — until account deletion; and

(d) support communications — two (2) years from the date of the communication.

Upon account deletion, your personal data will be deleted within 30 days, except where retention is required by applicable law (for example, tax and financial records, which may be retained for up to five years under Korean law). You may request earlier deletion of your data as described in Section 8.

8. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information. To exercise any right, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days and may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

(a) Right of Access — you may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

(b) Right of Correction — you may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

(c) Right of Deletion — you may request deletion of your personal information, subject to applicable legal retention obligations.

(d) Right to Suspend Processing — you may request that we restrict or suspend processing of your information in certain circumstances.

(e) Right to Withdraw Consent — where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

(f) Right to Data Portability (EU/EEA residents) — you may request your data in a structured, machine-readable format where technically feasible.

(g) Right to Object (EU/EEA residents) — you may object to processing based on our legitimate interests.

California residents additionally have the right to know what personal information is collected and shared, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising their privacy rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

EU/EEA residents may lodge a complaint with their local data protection supervisory authority. Residents of the Republic of Korea may contact the Personal Information Protection Commission of Korea (pipc.go.kr).

9. Cookies

Submedit uses only essential cookies required to operate the Service, such as session authentication tokens. We do not use third-party advertising or tracking cookies. Essential cookies cannot be disabled without impairing core Service functionality.

10. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to persons under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a person under 18 has accessed the Service, please contact us at [email protected] and we will promptly delete any such data.

11. Security

FUTELLA implements industry-standard technical and organisational security measures, including encryption of data in transit (TLS) and at rest. All editors and staff handling manuscript files are bound by written confidentiality agreements, and access to personal data is limited strictly to personnel with an operational need. No method of electronic transmission or storage is entirely without risk, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated to registered users by email or by prominent on-platform notice before taking effect. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision.

13. Contact

For any questions, requests, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact:

FUTELLA Co., Ltd.
66 Duho-ro, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea
Business Registration No.: 483-88-03326
[email protected]