Yes, it is unnecessary bloatware! And sorry, but it's not true that you can opt out of installing this garbage. On my machine, it installed as part of a normal update with absolutely no warning, notice or opt out. On another machine, fresh install, it partially installed before giving the option to not install (and finding the option is NOT easy!). Then, even after selecting not to install, this junk STILL INSTALLED and is RUNNING! with no option of uninstalling --- it's not in add/remove programs nor showing in the avast tools, but it is there and running and was NOT there before installing avast.
This is the kind of junk I constantly warn users against and to find it in "security" software is UNACCEPTABLE on EVERY conceivable level!!! You need to be able to trust your security software. Due to this underhanded, sneaky behavior, I no longer trust avast. If another vendor did this, it would be flagged as malware! As a result, I'm currently evaluating alternatives and will be switching to a different product and will no longer recommend the product to anyone.