BMC magazine is cheating. How to opt out of preprints on the Research Square website?

BMC, as a publisher, does not directly control the preprint server Research Square, which operates as a distinct platform. The assertion of "cheating" is a serious allegation that would require specific, substantiated details regarding contractual breaches or deceptive practices to evaluate properly. However, the core of the question relates to a legitimate and common author concern: the automatic posting of manuscripts accepted by BMC journals to Research Square as "In Review" preprints, often governed by an opt-out policy rather than an opt-in one. The mechanism for managing this is not through BMC's editorial system but via the author's account on the Research Square platform itself.

To opt out, an author must act proactively. Upon submission to a participating BMC journal, the corresponding author typically receives an email from Research Square with login credentials for their author dashboard. It is within this dashboard that the disposition of the preprint can be managed. The critical step is to locate the specific manuscript and select an option to withdraw or cancel the preprint posting before it is made public. This must often be done prior to the completion of the journal's peer review process, as many BMC journals automatically trigger the posting upon acceptance. Failing to act via this dashboard usually results in the preprint being published online concurrently with or shortly after the journal's formal acceptance notification.

The implications of this process are significant for author autonomy and publication strategy. The opt-out model, while increasing the volume and speed of dissemination for the platform, places the burden of action on authors who may be unaware of the policy or miss the initial notification email. An author discovering a preprint they did not consciously approve can face complications, particularly if the manuscript contains sensitive data or is subsequently rejected after its preprint version has been indexed by search engines. It is a system that prioritizes default dissemination, and navigating it requires a clear understanding that the journal's submission system and the preprint platform are administratively separate, even if functionally linked.

Therefore, the resolution is technical and time-sensitive. Authors should scrutinize all communications received during the submission process for links or mentions of Research Square. If the dashboard access is lost or the preprint has already been posted, authors must contact Research Square support directly to request removal, as BMC's editorial office typically cannot retract preprints from a third-party server. The situation underscores the importance of carefully reading all author agreements and system-generated emails during submission to any modern journal, as publication workflows now frequently integrate automated preprint deposition by default.