IP addresses are assigned to computers when they connect to the internet and change depending on your location. However, I read that your computer also has an address that doesn't change. So, when you connect to the internet, your IP address is assigned by the network and your address of your computer is shown to the network as well? Is that how the government finds out or the network you are using can determine what sites you searched or what you downloaded?
What I was thinking was if your computer did not have an address, how could they locate your computer once you left the network and moved somewhere else? I'm sure that they are able to now and was interested in understanding how the government or someone can find a user's location when they connect to the internet.