Specific Use-Case Security Audit

If an AI extension overlaps reports on the same sheet, what permission does it ask for?

When an AI Chrome extension overlays or summarizes reports on a spreadsheet or BI dashboard (Google Sheets, Airtable, Looker), which Chrome permissions does it require and how do you audit it safely?

Best fit

Directly answers what permissions AI extensions ask for when they overlap with spreadsheet reports, financial grids, and web dashboards—and how to verify data privacy.

Technical Manifest Audit

Permission specification & risk profile.

Review how Chrome enforces activeTab + scripting + host_permissions in Manifest V3 and how to tell legitimate user-triggered extensions apart from intrusive tools.

Risk level: MediumactiveTab + scripting + host_permissions
Chrome install-time warning
"Read and change all your data on all websites" (or on docs.google.com)
Manifest V3 declaration
{
  "manifest_version": 3,
  "permissions": ["activeTab", "scripting", "storage"],
  "host_permissions": ["https://docs.google.com/*"]
}
Legitimate uses vs. red flags
What to verify before granting this permission to an AI browser tool.

Legitimate AI reading uses

  • Injecting a floating UI panel (`scripting` / `content_scripts`) that visually overlaps the sheet report so you can read explanations in place
  • Reading the user-selected cells, formula bar, or report text (`activeTab` / `host_permissions`) when triggered
  • Using `identity` / OAuth scopes (`spreadsheets.readonly`) ONLY if the extension reads underlying sheet data via the Google Sheets REST API rather than the screen

Red flags to watch for

  • Requesting full Google Drive read/write OAuth scopes (`drive` instead of `drive.file` or `activeTab`) just to explain a visible report
  • Capturing the entire workbook or unviewed tabs when two reports overlap on the same sheet and you only selected one table
  • Using financial or proprietary report data to train foundation models
How Vezz me handles this: When you use Vezz me over web reports or documentation, it only sends the text you explicitly highlight (plus optional page context that you can set to Minimal so surrounding tables on the same sheet are excluded).
Step-by-step workflow

How to run this workflow in place.

1

Identify the 3 permissions involved in overlapping sheet UI

To visually overlap a report on a sheet and read selected data, a Chrome extension asks for `activeTab` (or `host_permissions` for the domain) plus `scripting` (or `content_scripts`) to render the overlay in the DOM.

2

Separate DOM permissions from Google Workspace OAuth scopes

Browser extensions ask for Chrome manifest permissions (`activeTab`, `scripting`), whereas Google Sheets Add-ons ask for Google OAuth scopes (`https://www.googleapis.com/auth/spreadsheets.currentonly`).

3

Isolate overlapping reports with Minimal context

When two reports sit on the same sheet or dashboard page, set your AI extension's context level to Minimal so only your highlighted selection is sent—never the adjacent report.

Key details

Why this approach works better than switching tabs.

Direct answer: what permissions are requested when an AI extension overlaps sheet reports?
Whether you are taking a security certification quiz or auditing a tool for your finance team, here is the exact breakdown of permissions:
  • 1. `activeTab` or `host_permissions`: Required to access the webpage tab hosting the sheet or dashboard (`docs.google.com`, Airtable, or an internal BI tool)
  • 2. `scripting` (or `content_scripts` in `manifest.json`): Required to inject the floating AI panel so it visually overlaps the report on the same sheet without opening a new tab
  • 3. `spreadsheets.currentonly` / `spreadsheets.readonly` (if it is a Google Workspace Add-on): Required when reading cell ranges directly through Google's API instead of DOM text selection
Why overlapping reports on the same sheet create a context-boundary risk
Finance and operations teams often place multiple summary tables or departmental reports on a single sheet or dashboard view.
  • If an AI extension scrapes the entire page DOM (`document.body.innerText`), asking a question about Report A will inadvertently transmit Confidential Report B sitting on the same sheet
  • Canvas-rendered grids (like modern Google Sheets cells) vs HTML report tables behave differently—HTML overlays read selectable DOM text
  • In Vezz me, setting Page Context to `Minimal` guarantees that only the exact text you highlighted is transmitted, preventing adjacent tables on the same page from being included
Frequently asked questions

Common questions about specific use-case security audit.

If the AI extension overlaps reports on the same sheet, what permission does it ask for?

At the browser level, it asks for `activeTab` or `host_permissions` (which Chrome displays as 'Read and change your data on [site]') combined with `scripting` / `content_scripts` so it can inject the overlapping UI layer and read the selected report cells. If it connects via Google Workspace OAuth, it also asks for the Google Sheets scope (`spreadsheets.currentonly` or `spreadsheets.readonly`).

How do I prevent an AI extension from reading a second confidential report on the same sheet?

Use an extension that operates strictly on highlighted text and set its page-context setting to Minimal. In Vezz me, Minimal context mode sends only your exact highlighted selection and your question, excluding surrounding headings and adjacent tables on the page.

Does Vezz me work on web-based financial reports and SEC filings?

Yes. On any HTML report, BI portal, or SEC EDGAR filing where text is selectable, you can highlight a line item or footnote, press Ctrl+Shift+X, and get an explanation right beside the table.

Related workflows & guides

Explore connected pages.

Analyze SEC 10-K filings & earnings
How to question financial tables, footnotes, and risk factors in Chrome.
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Google Docs & Workspace permissions
How AI Chrome extensions interact with Google Docs, Drive, and wikis.
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Master permission checker
Full checklist for auditing AI Chrome extension permissions.
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All Extension Security & Permissions
Browse the complete directory of extension security & permissions on Vezz me.
View hub directory
Available for Chrome and Firefox

Ready to try this workflow on your own reading?

Install Vezz me free, highlight text on any webpage, and press your customizable shortcut (default: Ctrl+Shift+X or Cmd+Shift+X on Mac) to get an answer right beside the source.

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