Why the gluttony for information?

Google Chrome has some cool extensions. Two in particular that caught my eye (the latter due to some work-related initiative) are the "Chrome Editor" and "Speed Tracer".

When I try to install them, however, they seem to want more information than I would think was relevant for the purpose they are supposed to serve.

The Chrome Editor - which allows me to edit HTML within the browser (which is a really cool feature) - wants to access my browsing history. Huh? Why? Fig. 1 shows the dialog for the the Chrome Editor installation.

Fig 1 - Chrome Editor installation dialog - it needs my browsing history???

I thought that was a bit odd, till I tried installing the Speed Tracer. The Speed Tracer - which helps profile execution of client-side components of a web-applications - seems to want to access all of the data on my hard disk. Whoa! Fig. 2 shows the installation dialog for the Speed Tracer.

Fig. 2 - Speed Tracer installation dialog - data about the websites I visit I can understand the extension will need, but what in the world will it do with all the data on my computer?

I think I understand Google's dilemma - they are playing safe.

The speed tracer probably needs RW access to my hard disk and to ensure they don't lay themselves open to liability, they are perhaps taking a pervasive stand by asking for permission to access "All data on my computer", but seriously, isn't this a little overboard?

Likewise, the Chrome Editor likely needs a handle into my browsing history to edit a page and/or render a document I have just created, but seeking access to "All my browsing history" is something I cannot understand.

Can someone explain this gluttony for information? It is a little difficult to digest. Pun intended.