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Steve Jobs: Honesty Is the Best Policy

AAPL has to treat Steve Jobs' health as a private issue. As a matter of law, it is. While the federal legal obligations on Apple Inc. aren't entirely clear when it comes to discussing the health of an employee, California has more clear-cut laws on the issue.

Steve Jobs can choose to discuss his health with people. Apple Inc., until such time as his health is a material fact, cannot initiate such disclosures.

Also, it'd be mind-boggling stupid to get stuck in the never-ending loop of "What is the current state of Steve Jobs' health?"

One, Steve Jobs can die at any time in any number of ways. If Apple Inc. claims he's healthy and he dies of an aneurysm or a heart attack or a stroke the next day, how many class action lawsuits will there be the day after that? Apple Inc. isn't a medical profession -- they can't affirm or deny his health.


Once Steve Jobs goes on the record, the only way to control this issue would be to providing constant medical data with increasing amounts of information. For example, the treatment can affect one's immune system. How long before people want to know his white blood cell counts? Survivors often develop diabetes. How long before people want to know his blood sugar levels? Diet is believed to play a role in avoiding recurrence of problems? Will Steve Jobs have to issue a weekly menu? Will Apple have to disclose that Steve jobs had a steak dinner?

The only reasonable and correct answer is "Steve Jobs' health is a private matter".

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