If you read the rest of the thread, its clear the entire account was locked. That's why they were told to get a new account. The expectation is not that he use one account for email and another for... new movies?

They said the issue manifested when trying to update an app. If the account was disabled, they'd get system errors saying iCloud couldn't be reached/account errors.

Second, they only ever said they asked the rep about their purchase content. Nowhere in the thread do they imply they lost anything else.

Uhm, then the rest of this subthread is conjecture? Typical HN sensationalizing/piling on. Losing bought content is bad but not like having all personal stuff locked. and nowhere the poster complained about the second.