The latest update for the popular Nova Launcher app includes Facebook Ads and Google AdMob.
Compare 8.2.4: https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/698198/
With 8.1.6: https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/673643/
From 2 trackers to 6 trackers. From 30 permissions to 36. And two of the “trackers” are for ad stuff, like Facebook Ads.
I believe the owner also changed. It’s no longer Branch, but something called Instabridge Sweden.
Why?
Personally I don’t use a dock at all, and I have only one home screen for my most-used apps. Less-used apps are in folders on the home screen, and everything else is in the app drawer.
I have similar setup for lawnchair but I use “double tap” gesture to launch “AppDialer pro”. Quicker than app drawer to find the app I need.