Viral Claims About Epstein Files Disrupt School Picture Days Nationwide

School districts cancel or alter Lifetouch photo plans after social media posts raise privacy concerns.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Several school districts across the United States have canceled or changed their plans for school picture days after social media posts circulated claims linking Lifetouch, a major school photography company, to the released Epstein files. The controversy stems from Lifetouch's parent company, Shutterfly, being acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, whose founder, Leon Black, had financial and personal ties to Jeffrey Epstein. This fueled rumors that student images could be at risk, leading some districts to keep photos 'in-house' or drop Lifetouch altogether.

Why it matters

The episode highlights how online rumors and reputational associations can drive real-world decisions by parents and school officials, especially in an era of heightened concerns over data security and institutional trust. It also underscores the challenges schools face in balancing student privacy with practical needs like school picture days.

The details

The controversy began after social media posts circulated claims linking Lifetouch, which photographs millions of students annually, to the released Epstein files. This was due to the 2019 acquisition of Lifetouch's parent company, Shutterfly, by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, whose founder, Leon Black, was known to have had financial and personal ties with Jeffrey Epstein. In response, districts including Malakoff ISD in Texas and at least one charter school in Arizona canceled scheduled Lifetouch photos, with some officials announcing they would keep pictures 'in-house for the rest of the year'. Parents expressed concern about the volume of personal information tied to photo orders, including names, grades, teachers and school affiliation, alongside broader anxiety over how data might be used or shared.

  • In 2019, Lifetouch's parent company, Shutterfly, was acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management.
  • In 2021, Leon Black stepped down from Apollo Global Management.

The players

Lifetouch

A major school photography company that photographs millions of students annually.

Apollo Global Management

A private equity firm that acquired Lifetouch's parent company, Shutterfly, in 2019. The firm's founder, Leon Black, had financial and personal ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Leon Black

The founder of Apollo Global Management, who had financial and personal ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“Neither Black, Epstein nor Apollo has ever had access to student images and that no Lifetouch executives were named in the Epstein files.”

— Ken Murphy, CEO, Lifetouch (Salon.com)

What’s next

Lifetouch and its leadership have pushed back on the claims, emphasizing their commitment to student privacy and data security. It remains to be seen how school districts will proceed with their school picture day plans in the wake of this controversy.

The takeaway

This episode highlights the challenges schools face in balancing student privacy concerns with practical needs like school picture days, especially in an era of heightened scrutiny over data security and institutional trust. It underscores the power of online rumors and reputational associations to drive real-world decisions, even when the facts may not fully support the claims.