Malformed JSON Moderation API Responses in Node.js: Schema Gates Over Adapters

Malformed JSON from Moderation APIs must be treated as untrusted input rather than simple parse errors. In Node.js, implementing a schema gate before provider adapters ensures raw responses are validated and parsing failures are recorded. This approach is critical for e-commerce triage and healthtech CRM actions to prevent compliance issues. Instead of repairing ambiguous data, systems should route malformed responses to conservative fallbacks or manual review, ensuring that only validated shapes trigger application writes.