Sentam Research
and Publishing
Cookie Policy
1. Introduction
Sentam Research and Publishing ("Sentam", "we", "our", or "us") operates sentam.org and its associated subdomains (collectively, "the Website"). This Cookie Policy explains what cookies and similar tracking technologies we use, why we use them, and how you can control them.
This policy applies to all visitors, authors, reviewers, editors, and any other users of the Website, regardless of geographic location. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Where applicable, it complies with:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — European Union and European Economic Area
- UK GDPR and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) — United Kingdom
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) / CPRA — California, USA
- Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019 — Republic of Kenya
- ePrivacy Directive (2002/58/EC as amended) — European Union
This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide analytical information to website owners.
Similar technologies we may use include:
- Local Storage / Session Storage — browser-based storage that persists data without expiry (local) or only for the session (session)
- Web Beacons / Pixel Tags — tiny invisible images embedded in pages or emails that signal when content is viewed
- Fingerprinting — we do not use browser fingerprinting
Cookies can be:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Session cookies | Deleted automatically when you close your browser |
| Persistent cookies | Remain on your device until they expire or you delete them |
| First-party cookies | Set directly by sentam.org |
| Third-party cookies | Set by external services we use (e.g., Google Analytics) |
3. Categories of Cookies We Use
3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Website to function and cannot be switched off. They do not collect personally identifiable information and do not require your consent under applicable law.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| `PHPSESSID` | Maintains your session state while browsing the OJS platform | Session |
| `sentam_staff` | Suppresses analytics tracking for internal staff users | 1 year |
| `cookie_consent` | Stores your cookie consent choice so we do not ask again on every visit | 1 year |
3.2 Functional Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we use. If you disable these, some features may not work correctly.
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| `ui_locale` | Remembers your preferred language | 1 year |
| `journal_pref` | Remembers journal filter or display preferences | 30 days |
3.3 Analytics and Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our Website. All information collected is aggregated and anonymous. We will only activate these cookies after you have given your consent.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| `_ga` | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
| `_ga_*` | Google Analytics 4 | Stores session state | 2 years |
| `_gid` | Google Analytics 4 | Distinguishes users (short-term) | 24 hours |
| `_gat` | Google Analytics 4 | Throttles request rate | 1 minute |
Google Analytics data is processed under a Data Processing Agreement with Google LLC. IP anonymisation is enabled and we do not share Analytics data with third parties for advertising purposes.
3.4 Marketing and Advertising Cookies
We currently do not use marketing or advertising cookies. Should this change, this policy will be updated and your consent will be sought before any such cookies are placed.
4. How We Obtain Your Consent
On your first visit to the Website, a cookie consent banner is displayed at the bottom of the screen. You may:
- Accept All — enables all cookie categories including analytics
- Reject Non-Essential — only strictly necessary cookies are placed
- Manage Preferences — select which categories you consent to individually
Your choice is recorded in the `cookie_consent` cookie and respected on all subsequent visits. You may change your preferences at any time via the Cookie Preferences link in our website footer.
We do not use dark patterns. The "Reject" option is as prominent as the "Accept" option.
Consent for Minors
Our Website is an academic publishing platform intended for researchers, academics, and professionals. It is not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
| Cookie Category | Legal Basis |
|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Legitimate interests (essential operation) — no consent required |
| Functional | Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR) |
| Analytics | Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR) |
| Marketing | Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR) — not currently used |
6. Third-Party Services
The following third-party services may set cookies or access data on our Website:
| Service | Provider | Purpose | Privacy Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics 4 | Google LLC | Website usage analytics | policies.google.com/privacy |
| Bootstrap CDN | jsDelivr / Cloudflare | CSS/JS delivery (no tracking cookies) | — |
| Font Awesome CDN | Fonticons, Inc. | Icon delivery (no tracking cookies) | — |
| Tawk.to | Tawk.to Inc. | Live chat support | tawk.to/privacy-policy |
We do not control third-party cookies. Please review the respective third-party privacy policies for further information.
7. International Data Transfers
Google Analytics may transfer data to servers in the United States. Such transfers are governed by Google's Standard Contractual Clauses and are carried out in accordance with GDPR Chapter V requirements. By consenting to analytics cookies, you acknowledge this international transfer.
8. How to Manage or Delete Cookies
8.1 Via Our Cookie Preference Centre
Click "Cookie Preferences" in the footer of any page on this Website to review and update your consent choices at any time.
8.2 Via Your Browser
Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies through their settings. Below are links to instructions for common browsers:
Note: Blocking all cookies will affect the functionality of many websites, including this one. Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled via our consent mechanism, but you may delete them through your browser.
8.3 Google Analytics Opt-Out
You may install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to prevent your data from being used by Google Analytics across all websites.
9. Your Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding personal data collected through cookies:
| Right | Description |
|---|---|
| Access | Request a copy of personal data we hold about you |
| Erasure | Request deletion of your personal data |
| Restriction | Request that we restrict processing of your data |
| Portability | Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format |
| Objection | Object to processing based on legitimate interests |
| Withdraw Consent | Withdraw cookie consent at any time without affecting prior lawful processing |
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@sentam.org. We will respond within 30 days. For CCPA requests (California residents), you may also submit a verifiable consumer request to the same address.
10. Data Retention
Cookie data is retained for no longer than the cookie's stated duration (see Section 3). Aggregated analytics data (which cannot identify individuals) may be retained for up to 26 months to allow year-on-year trend analysis, in line with Google Analytics default retention settings.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, regulation, or our practices. When we make material changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Reviewed" date at the bottom of this page
- Display a notice on the Website for 30 days following a material change
- Re-request consent where required by law
Continued use of the Website after any change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy for strictly necessary cookies only. For analytics and functional cookies, we will re-prompt for consent if the changes are material.
12. Contact and Complaints
Data Controller:
Sentam Research and Publishing
Email: privacy@sentam.org
General Support: support@sentam.org
Phone: +1 (757) 987-7576
If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom and are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority:
- EU: Your national Data Protection Authority (find yours at edpb.europa.eu)
- UK: Information Commissioner's Office — ico.org.uk
- Kenya: Office of the Data Protection Commissioner — odpc.go.ke
Effective Date: 18 June 2026 · Last Reviewed: 18 June 2026 · Policy Version: 1.0