For 99% of people the effect is the same as blocking the app.

You mean because users don't know how to sideload? Maybe so far, as there's been no need. On Android it's just one pref and then you download the APK in the browser.

Yeah, most people don't leave the easy path. Most people don't use Signal. Adding more friction won't improve that.

Fortunately iOS is not 99% of the market.

I did not mean iOS.

In the EU, Apple must support side loading and other app stores.

But those are also vulnerable to these laws, no? App sideloading seems the only escape.

Even then the webapp should work

Since when is there a Signal web app? I don't think there is, but even if there were then presumably it'd work the same as the desktop app: "To use the Signal desktop app, Signal must first be installed on your phone."