US schools cancel class pictures after online claims about Epstein

Some U.S. school districts canceled planned class picture days after social media posts linked school-photography firm Lifetouch to an investor associated with Jeffrey Epstein. Lifetouch and Apollo issued statements denying the claims and saying Apollo does not access student images.

Some U.S. school districts canceled planned class picture days after social media posts linked the school-photography company Lifetouch to an investor who had ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The online claims focused on a past Apollo Global Management connection; Lifetouch and Apollo both issued statements denying any access to student images or operational control. Several districts said they were keeping photos in-house for the remainder of the year while they review options for future picture arrangements. What is known: - Multiple districts, including several in Texas and a charter school in Arizona, canceled or changed picture-day plans after parents raised concerns. - Lifetouch said no executives had a relationship with Epstein and that student images were never shared with third parties, including Apollo. - News organizations reviewing Department of Justice files have not found evidence that Epstein or his associates saw Lifetouch photos, and Apollo said it has no role in Lifetouch’s daily operations. Summary: The social media claims prompted some school districts to pause or alter picture schedules and prompted public statements from Lifetouch and Apollo denying the allegations. School officials reported they are reviewing how to handle student photos going forward; the outcome remains undetermined.