Apple and Sony face “possible action” by data protection regulators in the European Union over possible privacy lapses by the storing of iPhone location data and the hacking of the PlayStation Network.

A group of European data protection officials said they have “taken note” of the reports on the collection and storage of location data on Apple’s iPhones and the leak of personal data from the Sony PlayStation Network.

Several “members are looking at the specifics of what has happened and are considering possible actions”, said Jacob Kohnstamm, chairman of Article 29 Working Party.