[cm2012]

Facebook is a popular target right now and the subject is politically charged. That's it.

[tschellenbach]

Doesn't seem great that fines are determined based on how hot/not some firm is politically. I'm pretty sure someone can make a list of 100 companies that deserve more fines than Facebook.

[throwaway2048]

And all the connected criminals that got away ought to be punished first, I'm sure a judge will agree with the wisdom of this argument and let you go.

[beat]

I doubt the judge was thinking about politics. Courtrooms aren't the internet, thankfully.