Yes, in most cases companies must obtain your consent before processing your personal data. Under Article 5 of the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), personal data generally cannot be processed without the Data Subject's consent. Your consent must be freely given, specific, and informed — you should know exactly what your data will be used for before agreeing.
There are exceptions where consent is not required. Article 4 allows processing without consent if it serves a legitimate public interest or if it is clearly in your own interest (for example, a hospital processing your medical data in an emergency). Outside of these specific situations, a company, employer, or service provider must ask for your permission first.
As a practical tip, always read privacy notices carefully before signing up for services, apps, or employment contracts in Saudi Arabia. If a company cannot clearly explain why it needs your data and how it will be used, that is a red flag. You also have the right under Article 9 to access your data and understand what is being done with it at any time.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Saudi Arabia.