Question About Apps

[iflog]

I'm new to the Android market and enjoy the ability to download apps that I find useful. Can anyone tell me why some apps need full access to everything on my phone? I downloaded a flashlight app. All it has to do is turn on the flash when I need it. Why does it need full internet access, the ability to take pictures and videos, ability to read my phone status and ID and prevent the phone from sleeping? I find quite a few apps have these permissions that have nothing to do with the app. It seems like an invasion of privacy. More, an invasion of my phone.