You may be able to root the LG TV and use https://github.com/webosbrew/youtube-webos, which supports ad blocking and sponsorblock. Or you could install it with developer mode, but developer mode has a limited session time.

In my experience using an older android phone for self-hosting, the downside was a lack of ports and I/O. Being stuck with a single USB 2 interface and wifi was less than ideal for my use case.

I ran a Minecraft server on termux and (IIRC) AnLinux once. It worked surprisingly well.

If I am remembering correctly, Australia also has laws that allow the government to force private companies to build backdoors. I think it was the Ass Access Act.

Probably not. Although I can’t buy a Steam Deck in my country, Linux is my daily driver on my gaming PC. In my experience, buying games on steam is genuinely much much easier than piracy on Linux. Even just trying to run Windows games purchased elsewhere (such as GOG) to run in wine is much more difficult than steam. There are no other game stores that are anywhere near as good on Linux.

I don’t think it is blocked, just down at the moment.