UPDATED: 9.50AM A new survey suggests New Zealanders see companies as a greater threat to their online privacy, than government agencies.

The latest survey by AUT's World Internet Project New Zealand has found 45 per cent of people are worried about how companies access their data.

The twice-yearly survey of almost 1400 people found only 33 per cent had similar concerns about Government surveillance.

Project executive director Dr Phillipa Smith says media coverage of privacy issues has made people more aware of the risks of being online.

"I think it's indicating a greater awareness that people's internet profiles are being accessed."

However, the survey shows disabled people are less likely to use the internet because of accessibility issues with websites and apps.

Dr Smith said people who don't use the internet are older and poorer than internet users.

"20 per cent say they don't know how to use it, 18 per cent say they don't have a device and 13 per cent have no connection."