What is the purpose of these cardboard strips stapled to my picture frame?

I bought a new picture frame from Michael’s, and it has these strips of white cardboard covering the four D-rings (circled in red). Does this serve any purpose important enough that I might regret tearing them off?

As you can see, my frame wire comes with thick hooks that are basically impossible to get underneath the cardboard strips.

I bought a new picture frame from Michael’s, and it has these strips of white cardboard covering the four D-rings (circled in red). Does this serve any purpose important enough that I might regret tearing them off?

As you can see, my frame wire comes with thick hooks that are basically impossible to get underneath the cardboard strips.