Authoritarianism doesn't only swing in the liberal direction. Until the last generation most authoritarian policies were of the conservative sort.

And with regards to this specific debate, being tough on crime and (largely unnecessary conspiracy level) fear over pedophilia are both conservative darlings.

The 2nd amendment has typically been the only love of conservatives.

Where were they when the police illegally searched us in dozens of ways, or when free speech was limited to easy to ignore "free speech zones"?

They've only clamoured to defend free speech once the right to freely abuse weaker social classes was at risk of being taken away.