What is the OpenAI moderation API and why is it important for application safety?

from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI()

# Standalone moderation check
response = client.moderations.create(
    model="omni-moderation-latest",
    input="I want to hurt someone.",
)

result = response.results[0]
if result.flagged:
    print("Content flagged!")
    for category, flagged in result.categories.__dict__.items():
        if flagged:
            print(f"  - {category}: score {getattr(result.category_scores, category):.3f}")

# Image moderation (omni-moderation-latest supports images):
response = client.moderations.create(
    model="omni-moderation-latest",
    input=[
        {"type": "text", "text": "Check this text"},
        {"type": "image_url", "image_url": {"url": "https://example.com/image.jpg"}}
    ]
)

# Inline moderation with Responses API (2026 feature):
response = client.responses.create(
    model="gpt-5.5",
    input="User message here",
    moderation={},    # get moderation scores inline with the response
)