Lena is a mainstay of computer imaging calibration. It's silly and stupid to make any claims of harm to anyone from use of the image. Don't let the culture overlords tell you what is right and wrong. Use your common sense.
Ok, I think it’s fair to say it’s not an absolute rule. But there’s a big difference between publishing a picture of a politician against their wishes and a model’s glamour shot. There’s often a legitimate public interest in documenting the activities of politicians, sometimes even their private lives.