The Southwest R-V School District is aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding Lifetouch in connection with the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Based on our review of publicly available information, Lifetouch and its parent company, Shutterfly, became associated with Apollo Global Management following Apollo’s acquisition of Shutterfly approximately six weeks after Jeffrey Epstein’s death. At that time, Apollo’s CEO and Chairman, Leon Black, was later referenced in materials related to Epstein and stepped down from Apollo in 2021.
At this time, we have found no evidence indicating that Lifetouch was directly complicit in the criminal acts committed by Jeffrey Epstein or others. Unless credible information emerges demonstrating direct involvement, we intend to continue our contractual relationship with Lifetouch.
In reviewing the searchable database released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to the Epstein investigation, Lifetouch appears to be referenced twice. Both references are connected to a grand jury subpoena concerning Epstein’s death investigation and involve a single banking transaction listed in two separate locations among routine checking account transactions. We also identified one reference to “Life Touch LLC,” which appears to be a separate and unrelated entity.
Southwest has a signed Student Data Privacy Agreement (SDPA) with Lifetouch. This agreement can be found at:
Lifetouch Student Data Privacy Agreement
and
Lifetouch SDPA Exhibit "E"
You will notice at in the SDPA it states the agreement is with Carthage Central School District. This is normal with SDPAs. The Exhibit "E" is where Southwest is included in the original agreement.
Lifetouch's privacy policy can be found at: Lifetouch Privacy Notice
Thank you for your concern. We strive to protect the personal identifiable information of our students through use of Student Data Privacy Agreements. A list of our signed agreements is available here: Student Data Privacy Agreement Online Resources