Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, delivered a significant keynote speech in Brussels on March 17, 2026. During her address at the 2026 Conference on Countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Kallas underscored the critical threat posed by foreign information manipulation to democratic processes.

In her remarks, Kallas highlighted that nearly 80% of Europeans express concern about disinformation impacting their voting choices. She emphasized the growing sophistication of disinformation campaigns, which have become a pressing issue for democracies worldwide.

Kallas pointed out that last year, Russia and China invested up to 11 billion euros in information manipulation efforts. This alarming statistic reflects the scale of foreign interference that threatens the integrity of democratic institutions.

Furthermore, Kallas noted the broader economic implications of disinformation, stating that the global economic impact is estimated at over 400 billion euros annually. This figure illustrates the extensive reach of disinformation beyond politics, affecting economies and societies at large.

“Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference – FIMI – is death to democracy by a thousand cuts,” Kallas stated, emphasizing the insidious nature of these tactics. She added, “Democracy is based on trust. If we cannot tell what is true and what is not, we are easily manipulated.”

During her speech, Kallas also stressed the importance of the Digital Services Act and the EU’s Code of Conduct on Disinformation as essential tools in combating these threats. She reiterated that fighting foreign information manipulation is integral to the Security and Defence Partnerships the EU maintains with various countries.

The meeting in Brussels was part of a working visit by Denis Bećirović, who engaged with Kallas as part of discussions surrounding NATO and EU cooperation. The dialogue reflects ongoing efforts to address security challenges posed by disinformation.

As Kallas continues to advocate for stronger measures against disinformation, her statements have garnered attention from various stakeholders, highlighting the urgency of addressing these challenges in the current geopolitical landscape.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific outcomes of the discussions held during the conference, but the emphasis on collaboration and proactive measures against disinformation remains a priority for EU leadership.

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“I am deeply sorry for the significant distress experienced by the victim,” said Jo Boydell, CEO of Travelodge, as the hotel chain announced a major change to its security policy.

The decision comes in the wake of a harrowing incident in December 2022, when Kyran Smith was jailed for seven-and-a-half years for sexually assaulting a woman at a Travelodge hotel. Smith had tricked hotel staff into giving him access to the victim’s room after they had attended a party together.

The victim awoke to find Smith attacking her in her bed, a situation that has prompted widespread concern over hotel security protocols. Following the incident, Travelodge initially offered the victim a £30 refund, which she described as insulting.

In response to the assault, Travelodge has implemented a new policy requiring explicit permission to issue additional or replacement room keys. This change aims to enhance the safety of guests and prevent unauthorized access to hotel rooms.

Boydell expressed her regret, stating, “We got things wrong and we should have acted sooner and I am truly sorry for that.” The CEO emphasized the importance of ensuring guest safety and the need for better procedures regarding key issuance.

In addition to the new policy, Travelodge has trained its 12,000 customer-facing colleagues on the updated security measures. An independent review of the hotel chain’s room security protocols has also been commissioned to identify further improvements.

The victim of the assault has voiced her frustration, saying, “There needs to be better procedures for the issuing of keys, for giving out anything to do with rooms, really.” She added, “It’s frustrating that it takes something like this to then push those kind of things forward but I’m glad that they’re actually looking at it.”

Labour MPs are set to meet with Boydell to discuss hotel security, indicating that this incident has sparked broader conversations about safety in the hospitality industry.

As Travelodge moves forward with these changes, the hope is that such incidents can be prevented in the future, ensuring a safer environment for all guests.

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