Is pmtelemetry.kext as potentially-nefarious as it sounds?

While browsing the built-in kernel extensions on a fresh High Sierra installation volume, I stumbled on the following official Apple kernel extension: /System/Library/Extensions/pmtelemetry.kext/

After doing some search-fu, all I can find on this extension is its presence in stack traces/errors from people with kernel panics. That's not what I'm interested in here.

I'm concerned that this is a built-in feature to collect "telemetry". We have NO IDEA what that actually means, and given how incredibly controlled Apple's software tends to be, I wonder if disabling or deleting it would have unexpected consequences - like system instability, inability to use iMessage, App Store, and so on.

Does anyone know of any security research that's been done on this kernel extension? I'm hoping to find something from a competent researcher that'll calm my concerns here.

Thanks for any info you can offer.

(NB: This isn't meant to cast doubt or start a fight; I just want to know what's really going on, first. Then the community can decide on an appropriate response. Chances are it's harmless but you never know... :-))