[Proof]

Question: wouldn't it just be more feasible for American govt to request to have all the numbers to be handed to them prior to the sale? That way they would know, where it was bought and be able to track down by whom.

Sorry for my English. I hope my question is understandable.

[TimTheTinker]

They could do that, but I’ve never heard of it. And compelling companies to do it long-term would be illegal (AFAIK, IANAL).