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.
I’ve been using Nova launcher for just as long, and finally got off of it in November. First it was no updates, then whispers of ad injections, and now the ads are actually here.
With that said, I tried Lawnchair, and found it to be clunky, unintuitive, and either lacking the features that I wanted or I couldn’t find them.
I ended up going with Smart Launcher, which has been a fantastic replacement. It’s got everything that Nova Launcher has and more, and it’s very easy to use.
Thanks for the suggestion, I am so not looking forward to moving the family off Nova (lots of tech support), but it must be done.
Smart Launcher is great so far. Thanks for the recommendation.