Information for Families Regarding Lifetouch Student Photo

^{The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has had a handful of families reach out following our recent message regarding Lifetouch. Thank you for taking the time to write and share your thoughts. We truly appreciate families who engage, ask questions, and advocate for their children.}

^{We are aware of recent social media posts circulating online that raise concerns about Lifetouch and student photo data. We understand that discussions about student privacy can feel unsettling.}

^{We also want you to know that we hear the concerns raised by families. Out of an abundance of caution, and as part of our ongoing due diligence, MPUSD will be reviewing and exploring alternative school photography options for Fall 2026 to ensure we are making the best decision for our community moving forward.}

^{Protecting student information is a responsibility we take very seriously. Our team carefully reviews vendor agreements, privacy policies, and legal requirements to ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including FERPA. As part of that review, we also requested clarification directly from Lifetouch.}

^{According to Lifetouch:}

• ^{Parents and guardians retain full control of their child’s photos.}
• ^{Student images are shared only with the school for educational purposes.}
• ^{No one at Apollo, its Board of Directors, or its investors has access to student images or student data.}
• ^{Lifetouch complies with all federal, state, and local privacy laws and standards, including FERPA and SOC 2 requirements.}
• ^{Lifetouch has stated that the claims circulating online are not based in fact and are part of broader social media misinformation trends.}

^{For families who would like to review Lifetouch’s privacy and safety commitments directly, you may visit:}

• ^{https://schools.lifetouch.com/safety-security/}
• ^{https://schools.lifetouch.com/blog/ensuring-privacy-for-every-student/}
• ^{https://lifetouch.com/privacy/}
• ^{Lifetouch Media Fact Sheet}
• ^{Public statement from Lifetouch Group CEO}

^{Regarding current student photos already on file, images taken for school identification, yearbooks, and student information systems are used for educational and operational purposes only, consistent with district policy and federal privacy protections. Families always retain the option to opt out of school photography moving forward if they choose.}

^{We are grateful for your engagement and for continuing to raise thoughtful questions. Please know that your feedback is part of our ongoing review and evaluation process.}

^{Thank you again for reaching out and for partnering with us to keep student privacy a top priority.}