Will you defrob my balancator? Of course not, because you don't know what it is. The same applies here: if you don't know what something means then say no. If you say yes then it's understood that you know what you signed up to.
No, this is not how consent works. Consent has to be informed and well-judged: If you don't understand what you're agreeing with, you have not given it (even if you say yes the other party cannot proceed as if they have gotten it).
An agreement requires a meeting of the minds. Blindly clicking "yes, accept cookies" in popups does not rise to that level. People just want to read the article, they do not understand or care about the data retention policy. So it is very hard to claim they consented.
And reading the data retention policy is not enough if it doesn't explain the extent to which the authorities in their country can wipe butt with said policy.
But anyway, I think even that is beside the point. I think the point is that there are things Europe considers fundamental rights. And the concept of a "right" doesn't.. really.. make much sense if someone can go "btw we'll just violate it, click to agree."
