From a link[0] in the article:<p>&gt; Facebook bought the patent from Friendster in 2010.<p>[0] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;venturebeat.com&#x2F;2015&#x2F;08&#x2F;04&#x2F;facebook-patents-technology-to-help-lenders-discriminate-against-borrowers-based-on-social-connections&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;venturebeat.com&#x2F;2015&#x2F;08&#x2F;04&#x2F;facebook-patents-technolo...</a>