---
title: "Chrome 'sidePanel' permission vs on-screen overlays: UX & privacy differences."
description: "Compare Chrome's native sidePanel API (used by Sider, Monica, and Copilot) with on-screen selection overlays like Vezz me—covering viewport space, context scope, and permissions."
canonical_url: "https://vezz.me/permissions/sidepanel/"
type: "pseo-permissions"
category: "permissions"
topic: "Chrome Permission Audit"
intent: "Best for readers and developers comparing sidebar AI extensions (`sidePanel`) against inline on-screen overlays."
---

# Chrome 'sidePanel' permission vs on-screen overlays: UX & privacy differences.

Compare Chrome's native sidePanel API (used by Sider, Monica, and Copilot) with on-screen selection overlays like Vezz me—covering viewport space, context scope, and permissions.

> **Best fit:** Best for readers and developers comparing sidebar AI extensions (`sidePanel`) against inline on-screen overlays.

## Technical Permission Audit

- **Manifest Key:** `sidePanel`
- **Chrome Install Warning:** None by itself (usually paired with host_permissions and scripting)
- **Risk Level:** Lower

```json
{
  "manifest_version": 3,
  "permissions": ["sidePanel"],
  "side_panel": {
    "default_path": "sidebar.html"
  }
}
```

### Legitimate Uses
- Hosting a persistent chat drawer beside the browser viewport
- Keeping a multi-tool workspace open while switching between tabs

### Red Flags to Watch For
- Automatically reading every new tab's DOM as you switch tabs while the side panel stays open
- Consuming 350–450px of horizontal screen width on laptops where documentation and code need full width

**How Vezz me handles this:** Vezz me intentionally avoids a persistent sidebar. Instead, it renders a compact, movable answer layer directly beside the text you selected and disappears as soon as you dismiss it.

## Step-by-step workflow

1. **Check what happens when you switch tabs**: Because a global Chrome `sidePanel` stays open across tab switches, check whether the extension automatically ingests every tab you click into.
2. **Measure horizontal viewport loss**: On a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop, a 400px sidebar cuts ~30% of your reading width, forcing tables and code blocks to wrap or scroll.
3. **Compare eye-movement distance**: An on-screen overlay sits inches from your highlighted sentence so you can verify claims against the source immediately.

## Why sidePanel became popular—and where it creates friction

Chrome introduced the `chrome.sidePanel` API so extensions could build persistent chat apps inside the browser frame.

- Great when you want an always-open chatbot that persists across unrelated tabs
- Disruptive when you want to read a dense article, paper, or API doc in its native layout
- Separates the AI explanation from the specific paragraph that prompted your question

## Why Vezz me uses an on-screen overlay instead of a sidebar

Reading works best when the explanation comes to your cursor, rather than pulling your eyes to the far edge of the monitor.

- Zero screen real estate used while you are reading normally
- Panel appears next to your selection when you press Ctrl+Shift+X and auto-hides or closes when you're done
- Supports Chrome and Firefox with a consistent, customizable floating panel

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the sidePanel permission dangerous?

The `sidePanel` permission itself is low risk—it only lets an extension render UI inside Chrome's side drawer. The privacy question is whether an open sidebar automatically reads the content of every tab you switch to, or waits for you to select text and ask.

### Why doesn't Vezz me use a sidebar?

Because sidebars shrink your reading area and pull your eyes away from the source passage. Vezz me places a compact, movable answer card right beside the text you highlighted.

## Related guides

- [Sider vs Monica vs Vezz me](https://vezz.me/compare/sider-vs-monica/): See how sidebar extensions compare with Vezz me's on-screen layer.
- [AI Chrome extension](https://vezz.me/ai-chrome-extension/): Explore Vezz me's on-screen answer workflow.
- [Permission checker](https://vezz.me/ai-chrome-extension-permission-checker/): Audit all Chrome extension permissions.