In the theoretical sense, digital sound files have over double the potential dynamic range of the best cassette tape or vinyl. CDs are better, but still well below what can be done with digital files.
The issue is that most digital formats are so compressed that they end up with 1/10th the dynamic range of a cassette tape.
So its more like analog is “better” only because we need to improve storage and up/down speeds before we can truly enjoy how much better digital can be compared to analog. Its just not practical yet
This particular situation is pretty dark though. It seems like it could be a purge of anyone who wouldn’t blindly follow even completely illegal orders. Like using the military against the citizenry, or otherwise for domestic purposes