Currently (until this bug) it’s supposed to trace back the call stack to the event that triggered it, and only allow it if the triggering event is something like a click. That’s what’s meant by “user gesture”, the opposite of code triggering it independently of the user.

“Consent” would be a positive acceptance in a browser controlled message box asking for permission to use the clipboard.

Most people agree that for copying to the clipboard the first is all that’s needed (there isn’t really a security concern here), for pasting from the clipboard the later is always required.