You do realize this is the exact same reasoning places like China & Russia use and indeed why we always hear they're 'non-free' as a result.

If you simply think that the same actions when done by a Western government are somehow more justifiable/right then you simply fell for some form of exceptionalism propaganda.

The very reason why we're supposed to be more free is because we're not supposed to do these things on principle, even if it makes the work of security officials more convenient to do them.