A lot of it is reduced BOM. You can get a more robust solenoid lock and control it with a microprocessor for less than the cost of a robust, fully mechanical system, which is a system that needs mechanical maintenance and is subject to all sorts of false inputs like people putting all their weight on a lever.
Buttons flush with the surface or low profile levers such as the ones shown in the picture can be more robust against certain mechanical attacks simply by having lower weight, lower travel, and being smaller (don’t need to exhibit mechanical advantage).
I’m a fan of simple mechanisms with no software in them whenever possible, but I don’t have to deal with the cost and reliability problems.
Buttons flush with the surface or low profile levers such as the ones shown in the picture can be more robust against certain mechanical attacks simply by having lower weight, lower travel, and being smaller (don’t need to exhibit mechanical advantage).
I’m a fan of simple mechanisms with no software in them whenever possible, but I don’t have to deal with the cost and reliability problems.