Why did Theroux find the Singapore government's prediction of electronic connectedness so disturbing?

Theroux had read a newspaper story predicting that Singaporeans would one day receive all their mail and newspapers electronically. To Theroux, the combination of electronic delivery and the repressive Singapore government was troublesome. Even without the internet and email, the government controlled information and stifled criticism. There was no privacy in Singapore and electronic control of information in such as society would make the government's job even easier.