IMO it would not premature optimization to not perform this access check if we don't need to. @nicolaasmatthijs mentioned a permission check on the target content item may not be necessary in IRC earlier.

If it is important to have, then it would certainly be a premature optimization to remove it.

Content Profiles are the most-accessed view, at least in the performance test distribution, and IIUC this will be offered right up in every content profile.