That is the answer, CNet's reporting on this is very confusing. Many servcies now attach the service to a hardware device or an app that runs on the device. (Twitter, Google Voice, iTunes, Google Dual Auth all be examples.
With certain services such as iMessage, Google's Voice, Google two phase authentication you link the device with the service. Even in Twitter you allow certain Applications which are device specific Access to your account. Users have to and are expected to based on when they sign up for these services to manage the access.
So now would be a good time for any users reading this to review all te authorized devices and applications for various services they use day to day. You may want to visit the vendors or providers site to find out how to do this.
Itunes: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4627
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1420
This not being a Google or Andriod fourm you may want to search the Web for answer on how to manage many of the services on that platform, call Google Support, your provider support or there store.
iMessage service has to be managed and if you change devices you need to act accordingly and change device.
CNet reporting it as a bug is strange. You need to manage your accounts, the services and the hardware authorized to access and use services.