[jasonpeacock]

In my 2021 Honda CR-V this is a configurable option - you can decide which behavior you want.

For example, you don't want your kids to open the doors while you're driving. Or you don't want a car-jacker to reach through the window and open your door.

[errcorrectcode]

Child locks are usually different. Also, there is typically no child lock option for the driver's side front door.

[jasonpeacock]

These are not child locks. Child locks prevent opening the door regardless of its locked state.

This is about whether pulling the door latch auto-unlocks the door, or if you have to unlock the door first before pulling the door latch.

[bumby]

How is it configured? Electronically or through a switch on on the door jamb?

[jasonpeacock]

Electronically, through the settings in the touchscreen panel on the dash. These are not child locks, but rather set the behavior of the door latch when the door is locked.

[bumby]

Does it have a fail-safe configuration if electricity is lost like in the examples above? If not, the ability to change configuration may not actually mitigate the failure mode

[jasonpeacock]

Yes, there is a manual door lock button-thing on the door next to the door latch. Though honestly I don't know if that works when the power is dead. As cars move to "fly by wire" this becomes a larger concern - less mechanical linkages, more buttons/switches + wires.

For example to open the back you push a button on tailgate and then pull to open. That button is definitely not a mechanical latch, so if the battery is dead then you're not opening the tailgate.

This would be an interesting experience - go to an auto dealer and ask them to disconnect the battery, then see what still functions.