We need technical tools to be able to communicate. If these tools are subverted, the political fight is harder to organize. So both go hand in hand.
Same reasons why the UK would want a powerful pf filter implemented by a Chinese corporation at every single one of their ISPs. It's not to block dirty pictures, it's to shut off everything during social unrest. If they just wanted to block porno they could do simple DNS censorship, but they dropped in serious filter controls.
Currently my country is looking into regulating all wi-fi APs. They already have a kill switch for phones and ISPs, now they want to make sure you can't even make an adhoc or mesh network for social unrest. Of course it isn't to kill communications, it's to prevent crime because some criminals broadcast MITM networks inside cafes, so we need sweeping regulations to stop them.