Consent is never "needed". Consent is one of many legal bases that allows for data processing to take place. If other legal bases than consent do not apply, the industry can use "consent" as a get out of jail card. Consent as a legal basis was heavily lobbied by Big Tech.
If even consent does not apply, then the data shall not be processed. That's the end of it.
If even consent does not apply, then the data shall not be processed. That's the end of it.