Jobs' health re-ignites privacy rights debate

Apple CEO Steve Jobs had a liver transplant in Tennessee about two months ago and is said to be recovering well, according to a Wall Street Journal report that cites unnamed sources.

Jobs still is expected to return to work later this month, as expected, though he may come back on a part time basis. (Techmeme)

The Journal sent Jobs an e-mail seeking comment but received no reply.

Company spokeswoman Katie Cotton provided the Journal with a brief statement: "Steve continues to look forward to returning at the end of June, and there's nothing further to say."

The report goes on to debate whether the company should have disclosed to shareholders that Jobs was going to undergo surgery, especially because Jobs was on medical leave at the time and not running the company.

The newspaper quotes a Washington lawyer who counsels corporate boards on governance matters but has never advised Apple as saying that material information only needs to be disclosed if shareholders are being asked to make a decision based on that information.