Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 9, 2026

At International Conflict Studies (ICS), accessible from internationalconflictstudies.com, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by ICS and how we use it.

Consent

By using our website, you hereby consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms.

Information We Collect

The personal information that you are asked to provide, and the reasons why you are asked to provide it, will be made clear to you at the point we ask you to provide your personal information.

If you contact us directly via our forms, we may receive additional information about you such as your name, email address, the contents of the message and/or attachments you may send us, and any other information you may choose to provide.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect in various ways, including to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain our website.
• Improve, personalize, and expand our website analytics.
• Understand and analyze how you use our website.
• Develop new research topics, publications, features, and functionality.
• Communicate with you to respond to your queries, advisory requests, and program applications.

Log Files

ICS follows a standard procedure of using log files. These files log visitors when they visit websites. The information collected by log files includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. These are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable. The purpose of the information is for analyzing trends, administering the site, tracking users' movement on the website, and gathering demographic information.

Cookies, Web Beacons & Advertising Technologies

Like any other website, International Conflict Studies uses 'cookies'. These cookies are used to store information including visitors' preferences, and the pages on the website that the visitor accessed or visited. The information is used to optimize the users' experience by customizing our web page content based on visitors' browser type and/or other information.

Google AdSense & DoubleClick Cookie Disclosures

We partner with Google AdSense (Publisher ID: ca-pub-2669399595092754) to serve contextual and interest-based advertisements across selected sections of our platform. In compliance with Google's Advertising Policies and applicable privacy regulations, we explicitly disclose the following:

• Third-Party Vendor Serving: Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to International Conflict Studies or other websites across the Internet.
• DoubleClick DART Cookie: Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to our visitors based on their visits to our site and/or other sites on the Internet.
• Opt-Out of Personalized Advertising: Users may opt out of personalized advertising at any time by visiting Google's Ads Settings at https://adssettings.google.com/.
• Universal DAA / NAI Opt-Out: Alternatively, users may opt out of third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance Consumer Choice Page at https://optout.aboutads.info/ or the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out portal at https://optout.networkadvertising.org/. European visitors may manage preferences via EDAA at https://www.youronlinechoices.eu/.

Cookie Classification Table

Google Reader Revenue Manager & Subscriber Data Protection

International Conflict Studies (ICS) participates in Google Reader Revenue Manager to offer subscriptions, contributions, and premium research access. When you purchase a subscription or contribution through Reader Revenue Manager:

• Data Processing: We collect and process End User Data (including full name, email address, and unique subscriber identifier) in accordance with the Google Controller-Controller Data Protection Terms and Google API Services User Data Policy.
• Permitted Uses: Subscriber data is used exclusively to create user accounts, deliver research briefings, and manage subscriptions. We do not condition access to content on non-essential consent or sell subscriber data to third parties.
• Withdrawal of Consent: Subscribers may withdraw consent to receive marketing information or briefings at any time by contacting us directly at info@internationalconflictstudies.com. Upon request, marketing communications will immediately cease.

ICS Intelligence Dispatch & Double Opt-in Policy

International Conflict Studies offers a verified email briefing product ("The ICS Intelligence Dispatch"). When subscribing:

• Double Opt-In Verification: We require explicit email confirmation. Upon submitting your email address, a single-use verification token is dispatched and expires after 48 hours. Only confirmed addresses are added to the active distribution list.
• Data Minimization & Storage: We only store your email address, subscription timestamp, source category, and cryptographic token hashes in protected, access-restricted database storage. We do not sell, rent, or trade subscriber email lists.
• One-Click Unsubscribe Rights: Every intelligence dispatch contains an automated, single-click unsubscribe link. Upon receipt of an opt-out request, your status is immediately set to unsubscribed and all automated campaign mailings cease.

Subscription Refunds & Statutory Consumer Rights

All Reader Revenue Manager transactions are processed with Google LLC acting as Merchant of Record. Full refunds are authorized if a subscription is faulty or does not match description. Subscribers residing in the European Union (EU) or Brazil are entitled to statutory full refund rights in accordance with local laws and Google Reader Revenue Manager Program Policies.

Contacting the Data Protection Officer

If you have additional questions or require more information about our Privacy Policy or data handling practices, do not hesitate to contact our institutional desk directly: