(can only downlink pictures when in range of an earth station)
I think you'll find that more sophisticated space imagery users have high-bandwidth relay satellites. Sensitive information need never travel down from low Earth orbit.
As to changing orbit - it can be done, but unless it's a pressing urgent life-threatening need, just wait for the orbit to come good.
Good to see that there's apparently some French radar data being reported. I trust it's close in time to the crash, and might provide a chance to find the sea floor wreck, and with it the data recorders.