A data processing apparatus includes receiving circuitry to receive graphics data for at least a portion of a virtual environment, the graphics data including a plurality of virtual objects, a machine learning model trained to output data indicative of an object classification for one or more of the virtual objects in dependence upon the graphics data, assignment circuitry to assign one or more of the virtual objects to one or more virtual object groups in dependence upon the object classification for one or more of the virtual objects, where the virtual objects assigned to a same virtual object group have a same object classification, and control circuitry to share first interaction data associated with a first virtual object assigned to a virtual object group with a second virtual object assigned to the virtual object group to thereby permit use of the first interaction data for the second virtual object in response to a user interaction with the second virtual object in the virtual environment.