I was under the impression that selecting debit when paying at the cashier means a direct debit of your account happens (as this article seems to imply). Which isn't subject to laws protecting consumers which apply to credit cards.

However selecting credit by the cashier - while using eg a MasterCard branded debit card still gives you the consumer protections (eg when disputing charges the onus is on the bank etc)

Am I completely wrong about this? Is the only difference the payment rail that gets used - and that has no affect on whick consumer protection laws you fall under?