Communication has always been known to be a risky endevour with potential for various compromises, even for sovereigns. That telephony and now network communication infrastructure the world over is minimally at risk of, if not subject to, surveillance is understood.
Carrying a general purpose computer of substantial complexity that is equipped with state of the art sensors, optics, and components (including ai), which is then topped with yet another thick complex layer of software, which is subject to known and unknown access (by various parties), is not the same thing as a telephone (analog, digital, wired, or not).
Today, unless in a secured EM cage, there really aren't that many places where you can be certain you can have a private conversation, face to face. Visiting friends? Alexa and friends may be listening. Even the lousy TV sets :) Walk in the park? Your companion likely has a smartphone.
A healthy society requires the availability of private spaces and private interactions. When a citizenry becomes aware of pervasive surveillance it self censors. Self censorship prevents airing of views in an unemcumberred manner. When views are constrained, problems remain unaddressed.
Tyranny typically thrives in such insecure and non-optimal circumstances.
